PORTAFERRY SDLP Ards Councillor Joe Boyle recently addressed a meeting in the Long Gallery at Stormont at xa0the Ards Peninsula Connecting Launchxa0Group ‘ xa0in the Long Gallery.
He said, “My Party Leader Margaret Ritchie MP MLAxa0co-hosted the event and unfortunately was unable to attend. Subsequently I was asked to represent the SDLP wherexa0I was delighted of the opportunity to listen to and discuss the issues relating to concerns within their areas, and how life and facilities within their communities could be improved upon.
“I would congratulate all those older people who travelled from the Ards Peninsula to participate in the event.xa0I believe that older people and their views are critically important to shaping the communities where we live. They bring to the table the reality of life within their communities, they bring experience to the discussions on how to improve for everyone the standard of living and what the needs of an area require.
“They are an integral part of the fabric of society and their views are in many case words of wisdom and should be carefully listened to and acted upon if at all possible.
“Having been involved, in the course of the meeting, with circulating around most of the tables, listening to and answering the concerns presented to me, I was delighted to hear of the appreciation from older people that they expressed relating to issues that had been addressed on their behalf. Politics is essentially about making a difference, contributing to creating a better society for everyone and above all helping those in need. More often than not this relates to the vulnerable and elderly members of the communities we represent.
“Finally, I would express my gratitude to the organisers and staff of the East Down Rural Community Network for their welcome and participation throughout the event. Everyone I spoke to enjoyed their visit to Stormont along withxa0the social interaction that was incorporated throughout the day.”
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