Madam, - Your Editorial on positive ageing (September 27th) raised some interesting issues. It is true that older people's organisations could play a more effective role in raising issues that affect the quality of life of older people. This is a fair criticism, but it ignores the reality of what older people's organisations actually do. The writer of the leading article obviously has little or no knowledge of the work of older people's organisations in Ireland.
Age and Opportunity promotes physical and cultural activities throughout the country through its annual Bealtaine Programme and Go For Life company.
The Senior Help Line organises a countrywide telephone helpline seven days a week to deal with problems experienced by older people. This service is provided by older volunteers.
The Irish Senior Citizens' Parliament, the largest older people's organisation, works through social partnership to raise the issues which affect the quality of life of older people in Ireland. The parliament shares this responsibility with Age Action Ireland and the record of our success is there for all to see.
Finally, Madam, I invite you to send a representative of your newspaper to spend a day, a week, a month (or whatever time it takes) with this organisation to learn about the work of older people's organisations so that your newspaper might be better informed when it is commenting on our work. - Yours, etc.,
MICHAEL O'HALLORAN,
Chief Executive Officer,
Irish Senior Citizens'
Parliament,
Fairview Strand,
Dublin 3.