Stop Flying Kites

Kite Flying & Pensioners

Scarcely 4 days after the Tanáiste warned about the dangers of “a season of kite flying and leaks in the run up to the Budget ’” we find Minister for State,  Brian Hayes T.D. launching a divisive attack on older people”.

Mairead Hayes CEO of the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament said

it is very disappointing to read the comments attributed to Minister Hayes implying that older people have come through “this crash and still have their incomes intact.

Continuing she said that

Minister Hayes needs to take some time, sit down and brief himself about the cuts, reductions in services of all kinds and extra charges which have affected older people .

Continuing she said

He will find that the reality is much different to his perceptions.

It is doubly regrettable

she continued

that comments which could be seen to be divisive and lead to intergenerational strife are occurring in this the EUROPEAN YEAR FOR ACTIVE AGEING AND SOLIDARITY BETWEEN GENERATIONS 2012.

Concluding she said that

this matter is so serious that both the Tanáiste & Taoiseach should state publicly if the remarks by the junior Minister are representative of the views and depth of knowledge of the cabinet as a whole with regard to older people.

ENDS