Professor Davis Coakley

Professor Davis Coakley graduated in medicine from University College, Cork in 1971. After postgraduate training in Cork, Dublin and Cardiff, he was appointed senior lecturer in geriatric medicine in the University of Manchester. In 1979 he was appointed consultant physician in St. James’s Hospital and senior lecturer in geriatric medicine in Trinity College Dublin. He was director of postgraduate education, Trinity College Dublin (1984-1990); founder and director of the Mercer’s Institute for Research on Ageing (1998-2003); Dun’s librarian, Royal College of Physician of Ireland (1991-1996); Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, TCD (1993-1999). He was appointed to a personal chair in medical gerontology (1996); RSL visiting professor in Australia (1997); head of the newly established Department of Medical Gerontology (1999). He is currently Clinical Director of MedEL (Department of Medicine for the Elderly at St. James’s Hospital). He was awarded the Charles University Prague 650 Jubilee Medal in 1998, the President’s Medal, British Geriatric Society in 2004, and Honorary Fellowship of Trinity College Dublin in 2005. He has published over 150 scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals. He has written or edited eighteen books on medical science and on historical and literary subjects.

Anne O'Reilly

Anne O'Reilly has worked in the voluntary sector for 14 years and is currently CEO of Age Concern Help the Aged NI.  Anne was formerly Deputy Chief Commissioner of the Equality Commission. Anne's previous experience includes ten years as Director of Help the Aged, Chair of NICVA for six years, Chair of Engage with Age, an interagency community development partnership, as well Director of Womens Resource and Development Agency.

Prior to her move into the voluntary sector, Anne spent 13 years in the statutory secot where she had, at various times, responsibilty for services for older people, residential and nursing homes, children and hospital services.

Dr Denis O'Mahony MD, FRCPI, FRCP

Dr. O’Mahony is a consultant physician in Geriatric Medicine at Cork University Hospital since 1999. He also holds a substantive appointment as Senior Lecturer in the Department of Medicine, University College Cork (UCC) since 2005. Prior to taking up his appointment in Cork, he worked as Senior Lecturer in Geriatric Medicine at the University of Birmingham, UK, from 1995 to 1999.  His principal research interest is prescribing in old age and is currently supervising a postgraduate doctoral programme of study in the area of prevalence and prevention of inappropriate prescribing in older people in collaboration with the School of Pharmacy, UCC and academic colleagues in 5 other European centres.

Professor Eamon O'Shea

Eamon O'Shea is a personal Professor in the Department of Economics and Director of the Irish Centre for Social Gerontology (ICSG) at the National University of Ireland, Galway. He holds an MA from University College Dublin, an MSc from University of York and a PhD from University of Leicester. He has had 39 papers published in refereed journals over the period 1990 to 2007 and has authored/co-authored 14 books and monographs, mainly in the field of ageing and social policy. He has also contributed 22 chapters to various books, mainly on ageing and inequality issues. Professor O'Shea was Chair of the National Economic and Social Forum Expert Group on Care of the Elderly in 2005/06. His work has been influential in setting the agenda for the ongoing reform of the long-stay sector in Ireland.

Owen Metcalfe

Owen Metcalfe Asscoiate Director with the Institute of public Health previously  worked as Chief Health Promotion Advisor for the Department of Health and Children until October 1999 when he took up his current position with the Institute of Public Health in Ireland.  He has a Master's Degree in Health Promotion, a degree in Business Studies, a Higher Diploma in Education and a postgraduate counselling qualification.  He has been involved in health education and health promotion for fifteen years and is widely conversant with public health and health promotion policy, planning and implementation at regional, national and international levels. He has also worked as a teacher, trainer and counsellor.

Professor Robert Stout

Bob Stout is a medical graduate of Queen's University Belfast, and undertook postgraduate and research training in Belfast, Hammersmith Hospital, London, and the University of Washington, Seattle, USA.  He was Professor of Geriatric Medicine in Queen's University Belfast from 1976 to 2007, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences in Queen's from 1991 to 2001 and Director of Research and Development for Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland from 2001 to 2008. He was Chairman of Age Concern Northern Ireland, 1985-88, a member of the Royal Commission on Long Term Care, 1997-9, and President of the British Geriatrics Society, 2002-2004. He is a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences.

Robin Webster

Robin Webster has been the Chief Executive of Age Action Ireland since its establishment in 1992 as the independent national network on ageing and older people in Ireland. His previous positions include Director of AONTAS, the National Association of Adult Education in Ireland, Director of Age Concern Scotland, National Development Officer, Society of St Vincent de Paul in Ireland, Lecturer in Social Work, Trinity College, Dublin, Lecturer in Gerontology, the Open University in Ireland and HM Inspector of Schools (Further Education) in the Scottish Education Department.