Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

One of the most stark and disturbing stories heard this year was the revelation of the poor treatment of elderly people in nursing homes, ranging from the illegal charging scandal to the squalid conditions some unfortunate patients had to endure in some locations. Four commitments were made to produce the legislation to introduce the inspectorate for nursing homes. Two of these were made by the Taoiseach on 31 May and 1 June, another was made by the Tánaiste on 20 July and another was made by the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Seán Power on 31 May 2005. All of these were explicit that this legislation would be produced and published before the end of this year.

Despite this, the legislation is not in section A of the legislative programme produced by the Government and announced by the Chief Whip, and every Bill in section B is not due for publication until mid-2006. This is appalling in light of the outrageous situation of elderly people in nursing homes. Why is this inspectorate legislation not on this list as promised on four occasions during the year?

See this speech in context