Craigavon and Banbridge Pensioners Actively Lobbying Services (PALS) have highlighted their disappointment and frustration at the refusal of Northern Ireland politicians to sit down and talk.

The group have called on the Assembly to get back to work or to get out and let someone else do the job.

"Many bread and butter issues need to be discussed - issues that can bring about changes that will benefit many older people's lives," said the group in a press statement.

High on the agenda for PALS is the issue of 'heat vs eat' and looming water rates.

"The message is 'together we bargain, divided we beg'," said the group.

Secretary Charlotte Cameron told the 'MAIL': "The ministers are very slow, very hard to pin down. Even when we go to a meeting with them they disappear before question time."

She added: "They all say the same thing - it's like they're reading off a script.

"We want them to speak to us, not at us and in our language.

"They speak in Assembly language. They answer questions with questions. We want some plain speaking, plain answers."

Charlotte welcomed the news Dame Joan Harbison had been made 'Older People's Advocate', but said the Old Person's Commissioner was a position that needed to be permanent in order to lobby politicians.

The Lurgan pensioner added: "I asked the question on a recent TV show - 'How safe is our money in the post office as it is owned by Bank of Ireland?'

"I didn't get an answer from the minister on the show. I got an answer later that it was safe, but it's no good telling one person.

"Someone in authority needs to assure older people their money is safe in the post office.

"What's the alternative - keeping money in a sock under the bed?"

She concluded: "It's very frustrating. Our ministers need to sit down, start talking and start giving us answers."