Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)

This is a significant and welcome debate. It should, but probably will not, result in significant changes. This is not the first time that Members of the House have raised shortcomings in the regulation of nursing homes, but so far the Government has failed to address the concerns. With the exposure of inhuman conditions at the Leas Cross nursing home and the admission by the Taoiseach that the HSE was duped by the home's owners, it is imperative that the Government act immediately.

Nobody could have faith in a regulatory system which is so ineffective, so limited in its scope and so easily hoodwinked, yet elderly people and their families are being asked to have faith in the existing system for now rather than being given the protection in law of a properly resourced and powerful inspectorate. That is the message from the amendment of this weak and self-serving Government to this motion. It is typical of a Government that does not deal with crises in the health service, but tries to ride them out. Words of comfort from the Minister for Health and Children are no substitute for action. Apart from the Health Service Executive providing some interim arrangements at Leas Cross, the Minister has done nothing to assuage the widespread public distress being expressed.

This Government could and should introduce measures to bring this scandalous situation under control, not some time in the autumn, but now. The social services inspectorate should be put on a statutory basis, as was promised in 2001. Legislation should be introduced into the House before the end of this term. The Labour Party will be more than willing to accommodate such a measure if the Government takes up the offer.

We find it inexplicable that the Taoiseach refuses point blank to provide such protection for the elderly by way of emergency legislation. He had no problem in protecting the State from costs by having emergency legislation passed, not once but twice, in recent weeks. Nor was there any difficulty in taking swift action in 1990 when the Government recalled the Dáil to pass emergency legislation, not to safeguard vulnerable and sick people, but to save the Goodman company. What kind of priorities does this Government have that excuse such lethargy and cynicism in the face of such need?

What is the Government for, if not to protect vulnerable people from abuse and poor standards of care? A good Government would ensure legislation was fast-tracked through the House. It has the support of the Opposition and it is not as if obstacles would be put in its way. If necessary, the Government should extend this term to ensure it is introduced within weeks rather than months or even years as has been the fate of other legislation.

In the meantime, a good Government would ensure standards of safety of care. The obvious way to do this is to resource the Health and Safety Authority to carry out an audit of nursing homes immediately, as it has done successfully in our accident and emergency departments. The audit could target a number of nursing homes within a specified timeframe and report, possibly to a Dáil committee, to ensure there is transparency.

That is what good effective Government involves. Sadly, it is clear this is something we do not have.

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