Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

I said in my response that I hope to have the legislation in the autumn session but I want to have robust legislation. We have spent some considerable time during the past year working on appropriate standards and looking at best international practice in this area. We want appropriate standards that can be enforced so that when inspectors inspect places where older people and others reside, including children, they will know what to look for and that those units that do not comply with the standards will not be in a position to remain as a registered residential unit for older people.

See this speech in context