Madam, - Your Editorial of January 4th pleased me greatly. Having worked with the voluntary agency Age Action Ireland for the past five years, I find it most heartening for me to see your acknowledgement of its championing of the rights of the elderly.
You correctly name the two members of the Cabinet (the Tánaiste, Ms Harney and the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Mr Brennan) currently involved in matters surrounding the care of the frail elderly. But there are other key ministries that should be taking a leading role in the welfare and rights of of the majority of senior citizens who are currently being discriminated against - particularly the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
These two Departments should be leading the way. Platitudes are no longer acceptable from the Taoiseach or Mr Michael McDowell regarding older people in Ireland. Talking the talk should be a thing of the past. It is now time to walk the talk. Being excluded from many aspects of Irish life because of one's age is clearly unjust and must no longer be tolerated.
The elderly still vote, you know. - Yours, etc.,
DAVID A. FANAGAN, Chairman, Age Action Ireland, Camden Street, Dublin 2.