Call for end to political elite's 'obscenities'

A MEETING of older people has called for the protection of society’s vulnerable and the abolition of “obscenities” such as “the parade of State cars”.

Anger, fear and despair dominated remarks from pensioners at the gathering in Dublin organised by charity Age Action Ireland.

Despite a smaller than expected turnout of about 130, passions ran high. The charity’s chief executive, Robin Webster, said the aim was to allow older people to address their concerns to their politicians.

However, neither Coalition party sent representatives, citing the need to attend important Dáil and Seanad votes. But Labour Party spokeswoman on social protection Róisín Shortall told the meeting her party had offered pairings so the Government could send TDs or Ministers.

Retired school principal Pádraig Heeran (82), Kilmacud, south Dublin, said people had been subjected to obfuscation and denial, and fed a lot of misinformation, “deliberately done to deceive us”.

He called for the abolition of “obscenities” including “the parade of State cars into meetings” and “the obscene amounts of money paid to politicians on retirement just for the sake of getting out of the job”. A former teacher of Minister for Social Protection Éamon Ó Cuív, Mr Heeran accused the Coalition of being out of touch with pensioners’ anger.

Pat Kelly, from Blackrock, Co Cork, was fearful of a cut in carers’ allowance. Now caring for his mother, he had cared for both parents for 24 years – “24, seven, 52”.

“Why is it that the old and defenceless and the weak are being screwed time upon . . . time?” he asked.

Sheila Fanning, Sandymount, Dublin, said she lived on the old age pension with her husband and felt her income was severely cut when the Christmas bonus was stopped and other charges increased. She had lost €30 a month as a result, she said. “I think we have to stand up as a nation and challenge our politicians.”

Seán Hennessy, Oldbawn, Tallaght, said he accepted “no responsibility . . . for the state of the country” and was sick of being told “we’re all in this together”.

He added: “I had no hand act or part in what has gone on in this country over the last several years . . . and I tried to do my best for my own country including serving in our own Army.”

Ms Shortall, FG spokeswoman for older citizens Catherine Byrne, Independent Finian McGrath and Sinn Féin’s Aengus Ó Snodaigh made brief contributions, with occasional heckling from the floor over “electioneering”.