Assembly Speaker Urges Older People to Share Key Issues

Today, the Assembly Speaker, Edwin Poots MLA has called on older people here to consult with the Northern Ireland Assembly on the key issues impacting their lives.

The call comes ahead of the, ‘Older People’s Parliament’ which is scheduled to take place in Parliament Buildings on Saturday 12 October and will be an opportunity for older people to debate their issues directly with key decision makers.

The Assembly Speaker said: “I am very pleased to announce our consultation with older people in advance of the ‘Older People’s Parliament’. It’s vitally important that the voices of our older citizens are heard, listened to and that their specific issues are understood and acted upon by the key decision makers.

“While we will all be aware of some of the current and ongoing issues faced by older people here, it is pertinent that our debate in October is led by the responses to our consultation. We want to ensure that older people here have a voice and that they have this opportunity to use that voice to design and shape their debate”.    

The Speaker concluded: “The Assembly makes laws that impact all of our citizens and it is crucial that all sections of our community, including older people have an opportunity to engage with us directly, to influence policy and legislation and to play an important role in effecting the change that they want to see.

“I would encourage everyone who is 55 and older to take part in this consultation by accessing and completing the survey at https://lk.nia.fyi/OPP.  I look forward to seeing the responses and working with older people to ensure a focussed, productive and impactful debate.”

You can request a paper copy of the survey by emailing: engagement@niassembly.gov.uk or writing to us at: Older People’s Parliament, Room 435, Parliament Buildings, Belfast BT4 3XX. You can also call 028 9052 1440 to complete the survey over the phone with a member of our Engagement staff.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITOR:

• The ‘Older People’s Parliament’ Consultation Survey can be accessed here: https://lk.nia.fyi/OPP The survey is now open and will close at midnight on Wednesday 4 September 2024.
  
• The ‘Older People’s Parliament will take place in the Assembly Chamber, Parliament Buildings on Saturday 12 October 2024.
• Find out more about the Older People’s Parliament on our website: www.niassembly.gov.uk/opp

For media enquiries please contact: The Northern Ireland Assembly Communications Office: Communications@niassembly.gov.uk