Mr. Seán Moynihan:

The wider point the Deputy brings forward is a bit like with the privatisation of the nursing homes and the health system in general in that sometimes we end up in places we did not intend to end up, if that makes sense. It happens by stealth because we are not watching out for what could happen. We feel that if we have a strong NGO system, a strong healthcare system and absolutely a private system then older people will benefit from quality and choice rather than having a situation like we have ended up with for nursing homes where around four private providers around 10,000 beds. That leaves us with motivation matters and the restriction of the services that are provided.