The latest older person to join the on-going campaign for a powerful Older People’s Commissioner in Northern Ireland, was none other than Santa Claus! Father Christmas took time out of his busy schedule this week to support the age sector’s ‘We Agree’ campaign and emphasised the need for older people to have their say on what powers and duties the Commissioner will have when established.

Before leaving for his home in the North Pole, Mr Claus commented: “Without giving away my age, this campaign is of particular significance to me! If you’re fortunate, you will someday reach my age, and to have a body there to protect and act on your behalf during those later years is vitally important. I would therefore encourage people of all ages in Northern Ireland to have their say on what they feel they need from an Older People’s Commissioner.”

Bill Carson from Age Sector Platform, who welcomed Santa Claus to Belfast this week, explained: “The age sector has been campaigning for an Older People’s Commissioner for many years; and we are now at a crucial stage in the process. At present, the office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister (OFMdFM) is consulting members of the public for their views on what the Commissioner should be responsible for and what powers they should have. We as older people, in particular, must take responsibility for telling Government what we need from a Commissioner.”

Mr Carson continued: “The proposals currently on the table contain many of the essential powers that the Commissioner should have – but it does not go far enough. We need to make sure that the Commissioner can act swiftly when required and can take cases on behalf of older people if needed. It is also vital that the Commissioner is tuned in to the views and issues of older people and has the tools at their disposal to tackle the problems older people face. Some of the current proposals, if accepted, would mean that the Commissioner may not have the power to do these things as part of their duties and responsibilities.”

Anne O’Reilly, Chief Executive of Age Concern Help the Aged NI, commented: “The appointment of an Older People’s Commissioner is an important step and one that will impact on us all – our parents and grandparents will benefit now, and we will all benefit in the future. It is therefore vital that everyone engages in this important consultation to shape the roles and responsibilities of the Commissioner.”·