Thursday 14 April 2011

The last 'local parliament' as part of the Northern Ireland Pensioners Parliament, took place in Ballybot House in Newry yesterday with around 50 older people from County Down in attendance.  The event, which was opened by Mayor of Newry and Mourne Councillor Mick Murphy, was the last of seven parliament which have taken place across Northern Ireland. 

Organised by Age Sector Platform, the Northern Ireland Pensioners Parliament is the first of its kind here, and aims to ensure that older people’s views from every county in Northern Ireland are represented. 

At the County Down parliament, older people from the county discussed and debated the issues that were of importance to them, with an expert panel on hand to provide advice and information on any complex points raised.  Issues such as health, community safety and transport were discussed; alongside worries about keeping warm in winter and having enough money for a decent quality of life.  The expert panel included Brendan Whittle and Gerard Rocks from the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, Kellie Murray from Newry Citizens Advice Bureau, Brian Groves from Newry and Mourne Community Transport, and Sergeant Wendy Walker and Inspector David Hutchinson  from the PSNI. 

Opening the event, Councillor Murphy, said: “I was delighted to be invited to open proceedings today and I commend Age Sector Platform for organising this event.  I truly believe today will help ensure the voice of older people in County Down is heard.  I have been informed that this is the final ‘local parliament’ in Northern Ireland of which six have already taken place and I hope we can ensure the best has been saved until last!  I am sure we will not have a shortage of opinions in this room, and I would encourage you all to make the most of this opportunity to air those views.  I am encouraged to hear that this is not the end of this process.  In June this year, delegates from this event will join older people from across Northern Ireland in attending the overall 2-day Pensioners Parliament, where the priorities for older people across the province will be decided.”

Mrs Phil Evans from Bessbrook, who is Vice-Chair of Age Sector Platform, commented:  “This event has marked the beginning of a unique process.  Instead of telling pensioners what they should be worried about, we are actively encouraging them to tell us about the problems they face.  This truly is a ‘bottom up’ approach.  The audience interaction, through debate and voting, has been a real triumph and we look forward to the two day regional parliament in Belfast during June.”

For more information on the Northern Ireland Pensioners Parliament, please visit www.pensionersparliament.org or phone 028 9031 2089.

To view photographs from the County Down Pensioners Parliament click HERE