| National Federation of Pensioners Association, Wyn | Monday, April 27, 2009 |
| I welcome the opportunity to address your meeting today and wish your Association continued success. I wish to acknowledge the tremendous work carried out by your Association in providing a National Forum for people on pensions and responding positively on issues that effect you. I hold very strong views on the importance of Government and Europe to advance and develop living standards so that pensioners can live and enjoy life to the full. Government, Europe and its agencies should be pro-active in their endeavours in this regard and prepare for the needs of this expanding group of people in our society. We need to do more, we need to adopt a clear structure and strategy for pensioners. I believe people on pensions should have a clear understanding of their entitlements, their tax obligations and especially their medical entitlement. Here, I wish to salute and pay tribute to your Association and to each one of you who showed such solidarity on the medical card issue. We are all well aware of the difficult global economic situation. Difficult choices are now necessary and my view is that such difficult choices have to be equable and fair. Our fiscal situation with our National Debt in excess of 35 billion euro needs significant correction and you know this is bigger than Party policies because whatever political grouping is in office the fiscal position has to be given top priority. Our Country has benefited from some great political decisions in the past, Politicians who were a source of inspiration, who took the difficult, courageous and correct political decisions when it might have been easier to jump on the populist bandwagon. They set out to achieve and did achieve. The economic, social cultural and community progress that our Country has won and enjoyed is due largely as a result of their vision, courage and determination. The depth and wealth of people in this Association party to that progress never ceases to amaze me. You can be justifiably proud of your substantial contribution which is a vital component of Irish society today. I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep admiration and esteem for all who so diligently and selflessly both voluntarily and professionally contribute in order to achieve a better quality and standard of life for all. |
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