Friday 25 November 2011

Older people from across Northern Ireland became parliamentarians today as they tabled motions and passionately debated the issues of concern to them and their peers with Ministers from the NI Executive.  The event, held in the Senate Chamber at Parliament Buildings, was chaired by The Speaker of the NI Assembly, William Hay MLA and saw over seventy older people experience the reality of an Assembly debate.

The older people present; no strangers to Parliamentary business having taken part in the Northern Ireland Pensioners Parliament earlier this year, presented three motions to Ministers present.  The three motions; all passed at the Pensioners Parliament in June; covered fuel poverty, fear of crime and health and social care – areas which are the responsibility of the NI Executive.  After each motion was tabled, Members of the Pensioners Parliament received an official response from local Ministers on the three issues.

Age Sector Platform, the charity responsible for the NI Pensioners Parliament, says the debate at the Assembly represents a positive commitment to address the issues raised by pensioners across the province.

Patricia Donald, Chair of Age Sector Platform, said: “We are delighted that the Speaker invited Members of the Pensioners Parliament here today so that the voices of older people from across the province could be heard loud and clear by Executive Ministers.  The Northern Ireland Pensioners Parliament was a truly democratic process, with older people from every county in Northern Ireland voting on the issues of concern for them.  This follow-on debate today was a fantastic example of how our Assembly can engage with members of the public, and we hope that the Ministers who were present take seriously the issues raised.”

“Some of the motions passed at the NI Pensioners Parliament are not within the remit of the NI Assembly, and these motions have already been, and will continue to be, raised with the UK Government and with the private sector where appropriate.  Our intention has always been for the Northern Ireland Pensioners Parliament to deliver real change for older people, and this debate has enabled older people to call for this change right at the heart of government.  We will continue to work with Ministers, Government Departments and Assembly members so that older people benefit from the quality of life they need and deserve.”

Speaking about the debate Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, William Hay MLA said: “I have made it a priority that Parliament Buildings should be opened up more to the people it represents, and as the seat of democracy in Northern Ireland, I am delighted to host this debate of the Pensioners Parliament here.  Today’s agenda featured three of the most important issues to the Pensioners Parliament – health, crime and fuel poverty – which have also been a priority to Members on the floor of the Assembly Chamber so it is a great opportunity for Members and Ministers to hear from older people themselves.  It has been run in the same way as an Assembly debate with an official report provided by Hansard so the Pensioners Parliament will see just exactly how our system works and how they can influence it.” 

Photos from the debate can be viewed by clicking HERE.