It has taken more than two years to be initiated, but from this week, senior citizens in NI are to have a professional voice lobbying on their behalf.

The First Minister Peter D. Robinson and the acting Deputy First Minister John O'Dowd, yesterday announced the appointment of Claire Keatinge as the first Commissioner for Older People.

Ms Keatinge, who is a former Director of the Alzheimer's Society in Northern Ireland, will take up her appointment on 14 November and will be contracted for a term of four years and will receive a salary of £60,000.

Exactly two years ago, the then Stormont Junior Ministers Robin Newton and Gerry Kelly launched a public consultation on the issue.

As the Ministers hosted an event for older people to celebrate United Nations International Day of Older People, DUP Junior Minister Newton said: "The Executive's Programme for government includes a commitment to deliver a strong independent voice for older people.

"Today's consultation announcement is an important step towards delivering on this commitment.

"I would urge everyone to become involved so that we can ensure the consultation engages as broad a range of people as possible," he said.

Sinn Fein's Gerry Kelly added: "The launch of the consultation today is very appropriate as it is Older People's Day and this is Age Awareness Week with the theme this year being 'Representation'."

The Minister said that the proposed Older People's Commissioner's role would be promoting and safeguarding interests, advancing equality, challenging discrimination and empowering and enabling the voice of older people.

Now, 24 months later, the DUP First Minister moved the issue on and said: "The appointment of a Commissioner for Older People is a groundbreaking development and will be widely welcomed.

"This appointment fulfils our Programme for Government commitment to 'deliver a strong independent voice for older people'.

"With the exception of Wales, nowhere else in Europe has a Commissioner of this type.

"As Commissioner, Claire will play a key role in challenging discrimination against older people, promoting positive attitudes towards older people and encouraging their participation in public life. I wish her every success in the post," he said.

Sinn Fein's John O'Dowd said: "This is a great day for our older citizens who now have a strong voice to champion causes which affect their everyday lives. The creation of this post is another example of a local Assembly responding to the needs of local people.

"I congratulate Claire on her appointment. She will be a dedicated focal point for all our older citizens and will have the statutory power and authority to challenge and take action on their behalf."

Sinn Fein MEP, Bairbre de Brún later welcomed the news that Claire Keatinge has been appointed as the First Commissioner for Older People in the North of Ireland.

"The creation of this post is excellent news for older people. The new Commissioner will have a vitally important role to play in ensuring that their concerns are fully represented with a strong and independent voice," she said.

"The projected demographic change for the approaching decades makes this appointment all the more important. As the population continues to age, focus will increase on the need to acknowledge older people as citizens in their own right who should be free to enjoy the human rights and fundamental freedoms to which they are entitled.

"I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Joan Harbison, the Older People's Advocate for the excellent work she and her team have done to date.

"It is essential that the rights of older people continue to be promoted and safeguarded," she concluded.

See: NI's Older People To Gain Representation

(BMcC/GK)