Mr. Oliver O'Connor:

Deputy Catherine Byrne inquired about life expectancy and the fact that individuals were living longer and that some could become quite ill in their later years. Obviously, everyone agrees that people living longer is good. Individuals will become ill in older age as a result of chronic diseases, some of which relate to lifestyle issues, while others are contracted simply on the basis of misfortune. Our medicines help them to avoid the worst effects of such diseases. Medicines are necessary to deal with chronic illnesses. For these reasons, many of the companies in the IPHA support the proper use of medication by patients with particular conditions and diseases.

On the generality of nursing home usage, in a previous life I worked as a special adviser in the then Department of Health and Children and had a particular interest in long-term care.