Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)

The Deputy will get a chance to contribute. An opportunity will be given to find out what the people of Ireland want and who they trust. Whatever about politicians, when a problem arises in the health service in the future and given the track record of the HSE now and since it was established, if the Minister thinks that the people will allow the HSE to judge itself, she is in for a surprise. The ordinary people will not accept that on any account. No matter how she dresses it up, who is involved or whatever is the commission within the HSE, if a body is not set up such as the one which is proposed in the motion, the confidence one would normally expect will not exist. Problems will always arise in the health service and people should be confident they will be dealt with. I accept the Department of Health and Children is not an easy Ministry, but we have moved far beyond that point now.

If the exposé of Leas Cross had not happened, would there be people in Leas Cross today? There certainly would. It was not within the remit of the HSE. Unfortunately, I have to say to the Minister, although I did not think I would have to, that I do not believe she would have done anything about it had it not been exposed. People could not believe that such a thing could happen in a so-called civilised country.

No matter how the Minister camouflages the facts, ample opportunity was available for her inspectors to have the legal background necessary for them to do their job. However, the Minister did not do that, neither did the Government and for all I know it may not be done for the next 12 months. If the Government could not act on an issue such as this that was exposed to 3 million or 4 million people on a "Prime Time" television programme, what would we expect in the case of lesser concerns, concerns that people do not know about? What does the Minister think people are saying tonight when they hear her say she has such confidence in a body other than that which we propose? I thought that this motion would be accepted by the Government. I saw no reason the Government would not do so.

Meetings are organised throughout the country to discuss subventions for private nursing homes. Recently, I attended the meeting in Galway as did hundreds of people. The issue is that the sums do not add up. The old-age non-contributory pension is €192 and the subvention in the west is €190. That is approximately €358 or €360. Private nursing home charges are €500, €600 or €700. From where will the difference come? How are families expected to keep a father or mother in a nursing home if that is the only financial help they will receive?

We do not have State-run homes. In my county, daily announcements are made on investment in St. Brendan's, Loughrea. However, the number of patients was 200 but by the time the Minister is finished only 80 patients will remain. It will certainly be a more modern facility but the number of patients has decreased. Everything goes against the patients.

Although it is not mentioned much, the issue of patients requiring transfer demonstrates the need for a patients' safety authority. On many occasions in my constituency, seriously ill patients must be transferred to a hospital with better technology. Between the consultants, hospital managers and bed managers, no one is able to tell the family of the sick person what is happening. That is allowed to continue for four or five days and no one will take responsibility.

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