Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In comparison to what used to be the system, I used to be a member of a visiting committee to a number of hospitals. A small group of people, normally five or six, visited on a fairly regular basis. We were directed by the authorities based on continuous observance of the situation whatever it was, whether it was a public or private institution. We usually made decisions on the spot. In other words, if something needed to be done it was done then or within 24 hours. If it was not done within 24 hours we called on the authorities to close down the facility instantly. My point is that it is fine to say we need more legislation but we did not have legislation and we did it just the same. There was no legislation to allow the offenders, for want of a better description, whether in the public or private sector, to engage in any way and prevent what was required to be done. We went through an awful lot of changes and brought about an awful lot of changes in that period.

Is it possible to act with more alacrity when something comes to the attention of the authorities? To what extent is there an ongoing monitoring of sensitive areas?