Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)

The Minister of State understands exactly what I am talking about, having admitted as much. The Government has failed to meet its promises. It cannot even take direction from the Supreme Court to arrange repayments to those elderly people whom it effectively robbed. Some €400 million was put aside in last year's budget to make those repayments, but it managed to repay only €80 million. It has failed to protect patients regarding legislation across a range of issues.

Let us consider the sorts of promises made five months before the last election. A social services inspectorate was promised, and that might have saved lives at Leas Cross if the Government had been prepared to spend the €2 million now going on its establishment. It was promised five years ago but not delivered, and the cost today is €2 million out of a surplus of €4 billion. Legislation was promised on the quality and standard of nursing homes, but again the Government failed to deliver. Legislation was promised on eligibility. Not only has the Government not delivered on such legislation; last night it voted through legislation to take elderly people's homes if they require private nursing home care.

See this speech in context