Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

To take an individual case and build from that, as Deputy Kenny is doing, is an unfair way to portray the health system. I will not get into that. As I said previously, there was a procedure of inspection in place at Leas Cross. I have already explained to the House how those inspections were done. I explained that notice was given when inspections were not of a medical or nursing nature but were to do with the governance of the nursing home. However, this was not the case in respect of many of the inspections that took place. The staff at Leas Cross believe the nursing home management was listening to and taking account of what they were saying. The Hynes report was concerned with an individual case.

Notwithstanding all that, many people in Leas Cross are now upset that the HSE believes they should be moved because it cannot stand over the care issue. This is the right action for the executive to take from a medical point of view and based on a geriatrician's report. I am not qualified or competent to undertake inspections. The HSE has ground rules in place for the conduct of inspections and I am not sure what is the Deputy's point in this regard.

See this speech in context