Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)

It all has to be said. The Bill is innocuous, although it is important in the sense we hope it will iron out some of the anomalies in the nursing home subvention, which meant families in one area were, seemingly, not getting the same level of subvention as families in other areas. Other such issues were also arising. If that is all it is about, it should get a fairly speedy run through this House. However, there is the more fundamental matter of the subvention itself, and I beg the indulgence of the chair in speaking on it.

In the process of life, people grow old, and there are only three or four ways in which the elderly can be looked after. There is no harm in stating them in a debate such as this. We all hope that when we arrive at the golden years we will be able to look after ourselves, live in our own homes and eventually go to Heaven. That would be lovely if it was possible and, thankfully, I know people to whom that has happened.

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