Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chairman for allowing me to comment now. Senator van Turnhout has stolen my thunder. Can I press the delegation on sanctions? In terms of people washing their hands and so on, there must be sanctions, whether naming and shaming or whatever, if they do not take the advice on cleanliness. A warning should be issued in the first instance but there must be a step-by-step sanction system. We are very bad at applying sanctions in Ireland in the area of health, the banking sector and all kinds of areas. Has Dr. Cooper the authority to insist that such sanction is implemented? I ask her to elaborate on the matter.

I am glad that HIQA will be responsible for the inspection of places where people with disability live because they are so vulnerable. I do not know whether the following is within its remit. I have had a lot of dealings with people with disability and know that the activities provided are often inappropriate. Does HIQA play a role in such provision? If so, can it ensure that the disabled facilities examined provide a sufficient amount of suitable activities? There is a real problem with activities.