Wednesday 23 February 2011 

Today marks the official unveiling of the Northern Ireland Pensioners Parliament, which was launched by the First Minister and deputy First Minister outside Stormont Buildings.  The Pensioners Parliament, which is the first of its kind in Northern Ireland, will allow older people from across the province to have their say on the issues that matter to them. 

Organised by Age Sector Platform, the Parliament will see hundreds of older people from across the province becoming involved in making their voice heard over the coming weeks and months.

Seven ‘local parliaments’ will take place during March and April 2011, to ensure that older people’s views from every county in Northern Ireland are represented.  These local parliaments will take place in Belfast, Enniskillen, Ballymena, Armagh, Omagh, Derry/Londonderry and Newry between Friday 4 March and Wednesday 13 April 2011.

During each local parliament, older people from the area will discuss and debate the issues that are of most importance to them, with an expert panel on hand to provide advice and information on any complex points raised. 

Later this year pensioners from every county will then come together for the overall Northern Ireland Pensioners Parliament in Belfast on Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 June 2011. This two-day regional parliament will see older people from across Northern Ireland deciding on the priority issues for pensioners here. 

Michael Monaghan from Age Sector Platform commented: “This is an exciting time as we prepare for the very first Northern Ireland Pensioners Parliament.  I am very encouraged by the level of enthusiasm that has been shown by older people from across the province in response to this process; and hope that there is as much enthusiasm from our decision makers when acting upon the results of the parliament.”

Mr Monaghan continued: “With budget cuts becoming a reality for everyone in Northern Ireland, this process should clarify for government, politicians and service providers the issues that older people here are particularly worried about.  We hope that this information will help those with the power to make the right decisions in the best interests of our older population.”

Anyone who is interested in attending their local parliament should contact Age Sector Platform on 028 9031 2089 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

For more information visit www.pensionersparliament.org