Members of Calry Active Retirement Group in Co Sligo spoke in civil, courteous tones when asked about Budget 25 this week.
However, the soft-spoken voices articulated strong messages for the Government on what they want to hear next Tuesday.
Healthcare, pensions, inheritance tax, fuel allowance, transportation and the carers allowance featured prominently.
Anne Connolly from Fivemilebourne said she would like to see the old age pension linked to inflation on an ongoing basis to give "assurances to people of where they stand".
Christopher Davis from Hazelwood in Co Sligo said he would like to see an increase of €15-€20 per week in the pension, an increase in the fuel allowance as well as an increase for carers "because they do a wonderful job".
Concerns were raised too at the difficulties medical card holders face in getting a dentist's appointment and calls were made for more dentists to be enticed to accept medical card patients.
Several people spoke about issues in healthcare.
Maura Hever from Sligo said the current situation regarding the new children’s hospital "is an absolute disgrace".
Emily Corcoran from Sligo echoed these views adding that it is "horrible the way children are left suffering and waiting years for operations".
She said she would like to see the situation improved too for older people who spend "hours and days on hospital trolleys".
Patricia Fitzsimmons from Calry said she bought an electric car last year and would not recommend it to friends at present and is calling for more provision for electric cars.
"We visit the grandchildren up in Dublin and it now takes five hours to get there. We must leave two extra hours. There could be three people waiting for one charger at Applegreen.
"Practically, you can’t take the car anywhere. I think the situation is dreadful," she said.
Marion Davis from Hazelwood struck a more optimistic tone while comparing the situation to British counterparts across the Irish sea.
"Sir Keith Starmer is cutting back the fuel allowance and the travel allowance in England so thankfully we are holding on to that and hopefully they won’t take that away from us," she concluded with a smile.
