Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 June 2026
537. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection whether retired workers will be represented at an upcoming meeting of his European counterparts along with social partners, organised by his Department (details supplied), and in particular whether the Senior Citizens Parliament will be invited to participate. [49180/26]
View answer538. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection whether retired workers will be represented at an upcoming meeting involving his European counterparts along with social partners (details supplied) and in particular whether the Senior Citizens Parliament will be invited to participate. [49181/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 537 and 538 together.
In addition to European Employment and Social Policy Ministers, representatives from the European Social Partners and European Civic Society organisations, such as the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), Business Europe, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Social Platform, to which Irish social partners and Irish civic society organisations are affiliated, are invited to contribute to the informal ministerial meeting discussions.
Trade Unions represent retired trade union members through their retired member sections ensuring that these organisations help former workers maintain a collective voice, protect occupational pensions and secure access to specific union benefits. ICTU is an afiliated member of ETUC.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) comprising a membership of employers, trade unionists and representatives of social, occupational, economic and cultural organisations is an EU advisory body. The Social Platform is the largest, leading non-Governmental organisation working on social issues in Europe. Among the membership of both the EESC and the Social Platform is the European NGO AGE Platform Europe, to which Irish NGOs representing older people are affiliated.
In these circumstances I can assure the Deputy that the perspectives of citizens, including older people, and civic society are represented at the informal meeting discussions.
