Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)

The Government provides the policy to allow independent regulatory bodies like HIQA to function. HIQA did not formally request that specific measure up until the interim report. What happened historically was that most nursing homes were probably family-owned and operating as small traders. If they sold the business, then it had to be re-registered. A situation then arose in respect of companies whereby if a shareholding was purchased and there was a change in the directors only, the company was required to notify HIQA of the change of directors but re-registration was not required. That is something we have to change.