Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies. I will ask the Minister of State, Deputy Heydon, to answer the question on horse control.

The scoping exercise and pandemic inquiry has now advanced. I have not seen it yet, but I am told it is close to conclusion and after that, we will have engagement with stakeholders and the Opposition on the terms of reference. I should say that the purpose of the pandemic inquiry in Ireland will be to look at the general response to the pandemic, not specifically nursing homes, although that will be part of it. We want to have an inquiry that is about working out what we did right, what we could have done better and what we did wrong. It is not about pursuing individuals. We do not want to go down the route of the one in the UK, which will go on for years and probably achieve very little in our view.

Deputy O'Dowd's question speaks to elder abuse. I thank him again for always keeping that on my agenda and that of the House. The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act was commenced in April. As the Deputy is aware, the commencement of both Acts replaces the wards of court system with a new rights-based system of supported decision-making. Importantly, adults currently in wardship will now transition to the new decision-making support arrangements on a phased basis over the three years from the date of commencement. As part of this, the circumstances of every individual will be examined by the courts as part of this transition. I will make sure the Deputy's proposal and that of Senator Seery Kearney is considered by the relevant Departments in this context.

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