Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

What is the view of the witness, given the inordinate length of time this entire process is taking and the lack of any sense of urgency on the part of agencies or successive Governments? Has the commission considered a more effective approach that would break this into sections, starting with the assumption that there is a real urgency about the health and social care element and that it could recommend to the Government that it legislate in that area first? It could deal with financial, family and other matters after that but the urgency is now in the health and social care area.

The witnesses are talking about producing a report but when will legislation be published or passed by the Oireachtas? When would its provisions take effect? Going by the history of this process over the past 20 years, we are realistically saying that the best we can hope for is a case of it taking years for the legislation. As a legislator, I am simply not prepared to stand by that kind of approach.