Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)

We will now further consider standards of care and related practices in nursing homes and the oversight of these matters. To continue the committee's considerations of these matters, I welcome Deputy Kieran O'Donnell, the Minister of State with responsibility for older people. I also welcome officials from the Department and with members' agreement, some of the officials may answer some of the questions. Is that agreed? Agreed. I invite the Minister of State to make his opening remarks.