Newry Armagh Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

MEP meets older people's groups in Newry

Published: 14 May, 2009

Sinn Féin MEP Bairbre de Brún travelled to Newry yesterday at the invite of the Party's spokesperson on older people, Mickey Brady. Ms de Brún met with various older people's groups at a conference in Ballybot House hosted by Confederation of Community Groups chairperson, David Cunningham.Ms de Brún told those present that Sinn Fein is determined to put the interests of older people first, here and in Europe and campaign for a guaranteed minimum income in order to ensure the right to a dignified life for everybody.

Speaking after the event Ms de Brún said,

"I am delighted to have been able to attend today's event and meet with the community groups who do so much for the older people of Newry and Mourne. Older people make a great contribution society and it is important that this is recognised.

"As an active MEP, it is important to listen to the real needs of citizens - rural isolation, poverty and discrimination faced by older people in relation to the provision of goods and services have all been issues that I have put a focus on during the past 5 years.

"Older people in our society face many difficulties and are denied many entitlements that most people take for granted. Event such as these provide a great opportunity to speak directly to the community in order to hear first hand of the problems faced by the older people in this area so that I can work for their rights in Europe."

"Sinn Fein MEPs will campaign for a guaranteed minimum income in order to ensure the right to a dignified life for everybody. We will also campaign for a link between pensions and average earnings and will work to ensure that older people can move freely within the EU without losing their pension rights."

Local MLA Mickey Brady thanked Bairbre de Brún for attending the event and said,

"We in Sinn Féin are well aware of the work that our MEP is doing for older people at the European Parliament in Brussels. Bairbre de Brún has argued strongly for comprehensive legislation at EU level to ensure rights are enshrined in law to deal not only with employment but also access to goods and services, including the right of older people to finance, insurance and adequate health services. She also updated groups back home on the latest progress with regard to this legislation." Críoch