A NEW political party championing the interests of older people plans to field candidates in the local elections next June, its founder has said.
Tommie Wolfe (70) from Dublin applied to register the new party, Senior Solidarity, at Leinster House yesterday.
A spokeswoman for the Oireachtas confirmed that his application had been received.
Mr Wolfe said a committee of six people had been established and he had gathered "great support" when he went "knocking on doors" around Malahide, Cabra, Coolock, Glasnevin and Drumcondra in north Dublin.
He had had the idea for a number of years of starting a political party dedicated to the interests of older people, he said.
"But after the fiasco of the Budget and the medical cards, well it made my blood boil. I just got my medical card last year, then it was taken off me and then we won it back. So the first step on this road now is to get organised."
Mr Wolfe said he had gathered the 300 signatures necessary to start a political party.
"We have eight months now until we have to fight any election so we'll see how we get on from here."
Mr Wolfe said the priorities of the new party would be the health, welfare and education of people aged 65 and over as well as tackling discrimination against older people.
"There is no one in there," he said, pointing at the Houses of the Oireachtas, "speaking up for older people. Out priorities will be the health, welfare and education of older people."
Asked whether the party would work with other lobby groups such as Age Action Ireland, the Senior Citizens Parliament and Friends of the Elderly, he said they were "great but not political".
"They have no real political clout. They are not in there. My main concern is those over 70. Many don't have the energy or the power to fight. I'm lucky. I'm fit and active and do have the energy."
