Address to Seanad Éireann by Members of the European Parliament
Seanad Éireann — 2026-02-18
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Joe Conway (IND), Cultural and Educational Panel

In Europe, about 125 million of our citizens are aged 60 or over. I am sometimes distressed to see that we have Directive 98/58/EC, which governs the welfare of cattle in the EU. Would the Cathaoirleach care to guess how many directives we have governing the welfare of our older citizens? Zero. If we look at the letter of appointment from President von der Leyen to Commissioner Micallef who has responsibility for these matters, it shows his tabulated responsibilities are intergenerational awareness, culture, sport and youth. However, there is no mention of older citizens. I have a question for our Ireland South MEPs. I address it in particular to mo chara Seán Ó Ceallaigh mar tá sé ar chomhaois liomsa agus an duine is sine ar an mbinse sin. Tá fáilte roimhe freagra a thabhairt dom.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-02-18/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:39+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-02-18