Madam, – As a group that addressed the Lemass Forum last week, Age Action was interested by your analysis piece (May 31st) headlined “Lemass group a forum for dissent or discussion?” Our experience last Wednesday evening was one of the best engagements we have had in recent years with Oireachtas members. During a meeting which lasted almost two hours and which was attended by 29 TDs and senators, we made a presentation on the most pressing issues facing older people. This was followed by a genuine engagement with the members.
Unlike other forums for engagement, the meeting was not confrontational.
Deputies and senators could ask questions, express views or explore possible solutions, without the need to keep one eye on their electorate or the opposition. The result was a very valuable experience for all concerned.
From an Age Action point of view, it was an opportunity to talk to backbench deputies and senators. Pressure of time means that we often only get to make presentations to ministers, junior ministers and their officials. It also enabled us to tap into the considerable experience of the forum members. Incidentally, the presentation was the same one we had prepared for a meeting with Minister for Social Protection, Éamon Ó Cuív the following day.
Our experience was that the forum provided a mechanism which enabled groups with experience of working with older people, to meet legislators who are influential in shaping public policy. To answer the question in your article’s headline, it was a very valuable forum for discussion for us. – Yours, etc,