Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

When the television report was shown, it shocked viewers. It is a difficult decision for any family to send a loved one to a nursing home. When that decision is made, however, certain expectations are created. The programme showed us that the inspection system at that time was not working properly. The Taoiseach, the then Tánaiste, Deputy Harney, and I gave a commitment in this House to bring in legislation to make the necessary changes to ensure that people who go into nursing homes are given a very high level of care. We have made every effort to ensure that this happens and it will.

On 31 May, following the television programme on Leas Cross, I wrote to Commissioner Noel Conroy asking him to determine whether there were issues involved that needed to be investigated by the Garda. Some people have been very critical of the HSE and the fact that it has not published the report. Some might feel the HSE is sitting on the report. It must be remembered that it was the HSE which asked that the report be published. We will make every effort to ensure that it is published.

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