Pensioners Parliament Comes to Newry

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Last week around 60 pensioners took part in a Pensioners Parliament in the Canal Court in Newry.

County Down participants Anne Gallagher, Margaret McAuley and Charlie Simmons pictured with Cllr Michael Ruane, Mayor of Newry and Mourne District Council and Francis Hughes, Chair of Age Sector Platform

The participants came from across County Down and it was the third of seven highly anticipated Pensioners Parliaments due to take place across Northern Ireland in the coming weeks. The event was officially opened by Councillor Michael Ruane, Mayor of Newry and Mourne.

All eager to make their voices heard on the problems they face at present, the County Down pensioners raised issues including community policing, energy prices and health and social care provision.

The 2014 Northern Ireland Pensioners Parliament, which was launched in Belfast in February, also offered pensioners the opportunity to put their questions to local politicians.

The County Down Parliament saw Mickey Brady MLA (Sinn Féin), John McCallister MLA (NI21), Kieran McCarthy MLA (Alliance), Karen McKevitt MLA (SDLP), Jim Wells MLA (DUP) and Cllr David Taylor (UUP) responding to questions from the floor.

The four remaining Parliaments, due to take place in the coming weeks, will be held in Craigavon, Larne, Magherafelt and Omagh – ensuring a platform for older people to make their voice heard in every county.