James Breen (Clare, Independent)

It is shameful that today, 1 February 2006, we are debating the lack of legislation to provide for an independent statutorily-based inspection regime for all nursing homes. In 2001, promises were made about the introduction of such legislation and it was only the "Prime Time" programme broadcast in May 2005 which tweaked the conscience of the Government and brought about further debate.

In June 2005, the Taoiseach told the Dáil that legislation would be before the House in the autumn to improve inspection powers and increase the number of inspections of nursing homes. Since then how many extra inspection teams have been established? How many of the recommended two annual visits to each of the 479 nursing homes in the country have taken place? What standardisation of actual inspections has been effected to ensure all nursing homes meet suitably high criteria of care? I hope I can get answers today as it is impossible to get that information elsewhere.

The Taoiseach told the House on 1 June 2005 that these changes were already being implemented under the new Health Service Executive and that new legislation would be before the Dáil in the autumn. On 29 September 2005 all members of the Opposition urged that the legislation be introduced immediately. On that date the Tánaiste was sent into the House, presumably so the Taoiseach could not be accused of telling half truths or lies. When pressed as to when we might see the proposed legislation the Tánaiste hesitated, dithered, paused and fudged. Eventually she almost said yes, that it might come before us in the autumn.

On that date the Tánaiste told the House: "A strong focus of Government actions this autumn will be on care of the elderly issues". For a subject that is such a priority for our Taoiseach and a burning issue for both the Tánaiste and the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Power, it beggars belief that the reason legislation was not even on the A list was because the Bill had not been cleared by Government.

Who else must die before this Government acts? Is it not enough that the whole country witnessed the scandalous treatment and death of Peter McKenna and the scandals of Rostrevor House, Rathfarnham nursing home and Leas Cross? Shame and shame again on the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and the Minister of State. They are a disgrace.

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