David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We should do more than note it. I was astounded when I read the correspondence because it was specifically the CEO of Nursing Homes Ireland who had written to us to alert us to what his organisation regarded as increased costs in public nursing homes. We need to remind ourselves that very serious allegations were made against Nursing Homes Ireland about price fixing and the running of a cartel. I stress the word "allegations".

A witness was here and made a lot of interesting points which, to this day, we have not been able to put to Mr. Daly and Nursing Homes Ireland. It takes a brass neck to send a note to the Committee of Public Accounts saying they are concerned about prices in respect of public nursing homes. We afforded Mr. Daly an opportunity to come before the Committee of Public Accounts to deal with the issues. It was not taken up and I understand that legal issues were raised. He has very generously written to us to alert us to what he sees as an issue and it may be so. It is worth examining whether we are getting value for money for public nursing homes. However, there was a meeting and we got a report which has not yet been shredded. It raised serious allegations of potential price-fixing and the operation of a cartel. I propose that we invite Mr. Daly to come before the Committee of Public Accounts and I would love an opportunity to put all those questions to him - not just those relating to the issues he raises. It took a brass neck to send the correspondence in question, given that his organisation has not responded to the very serious allegations that were made against it.