I would like to commend Carmel Gallagher and all associated with this fine publication - 'The Community Life of Older People in Ireland'. A half of a decade's research has enabled Carmel to produce an extensive and insightful study on the participation of older people within our society.

Carmel's comprehensive study of the lives of older people in 21st century Ireland is based on primary research that examined the everyday lives of older people in two geographic locations - a suburban area in the Northside of Dublin and a rural area in County Donegal.

As a society, it is imperative that we never forget the contribution that our older people made to building up this country and persevering when times were really tough here. The foundations for the progress of the last decade have their genesis in the work and community spirit that so many of the people who make up our elderly population now contributed throughout their working life-time.

As Taoiseach, I saw it as my duty to ensure that the elderly were looked after and I was proud to bring forward a number of initiative schemes and monetary assistance (including the biggest increases in pensions in the history of Independent Ireland) to ensure that the older generations among us continue to play a full and active role within our respective communities.

This study will contribute further to delivering progress for the elderly in our society. Carmel deserves our congratulations for her work will enable policymakers and decision makers to better identify key issues in this area. It will also provide the information needed to provide workable solutions for the betterment of Irish society in the years ahead.

There are two key ideas in the book that grabbed my attention - firstly, the contribution that older people make to the lives of others in numerous ways which are often not recognised, and secondly, the importance of local groups of different kinds in creating connectedness and building up a sense of community.

Carmel's thorough analysis catalogues and recognises the immense contribution that older people make to the lives of others, especially within their family whether as a carer or in their community in a voluntary capacity. Although very often overlooked, this is ongoing within Irish society in a myriad of ways and Carmel's study points to that. In particular, the study finds a considerable amount of informal helping and positive neighbouring in both urban and rural areas and the book argues that older people are an indispensable resource in their families and in their communities in this regard.

In addition to setting the parameters in which older people already are make a valuable contribution, Carmel Gallagher sets out the importance of local groups of different kinds in creating connectedness and building up the strong sense of community which many believe has been diminished in Ireland in recent years.

The study's findings highlights the positive role older people can and do play in providing a social network that strengthens the fabric of our entire society considerably.

I would particularly point to the policy recommendations contained in Carmel's book which relate to encouraging voluntary groups. Carmel intelligently makes the point that it is important for our entire society to provide opportunities to older people, regardless of physical or mental incapacities, to remain involved with others and engaged in meaningful activities and relationships.

In this respect, this book again alerts us to the importance of not taking for granted the value of volunteerism to our society. In this regard, during my tenure as Taoiseach, I established the Taskforce on Active Citzenship which is examining the problems and solutions to retaining a strong sense of Irish citizenship and civic pride as we progress into the 21st century.

Carmeli's study correctly identifies older people as having a central role in this process. Her work also is important in that it set out and describes models of good practice in voluntary and statutory services. And as Carmel articulately argues, it is important that the work of volunteers and voluntary groups working with or for the elderly are not taken for granted.

Carmel research also backs up the sensible proposition Statutory bodies should attach priority to integrating their services with social networks and voluntary groups within local communities.

Along with the undoubted academic and analytical strengths which Carmel Gallagher brings in her portrayal of the role of older people in our community, this book gains an added depth with its basis in the lived experiences of older people in urban Dublin and rural Donegal.

In conclusion, in congratulating Carmel Gallagher on this well-researched, well-written and beneficial book, it is worth emphasising that the research is based on the lived experiences of older people themselves and what they perceive to be of value. As such, in this book, Carmel has provided insights into core cultural values in Irish society that are worth reflecting on as we move further into the 21st century. Well done Carmel and thank you for asking me to launch this book.