Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

Sinn Féin in its time over the past 35 years opposed everything. It opposed our entry into the European Economic Community and every treaty. It is all no, no, no and being critical. That is the extent of its contribution to the State. We needed to spend hundreds of millions of euro to protect the State against its activities.

There are important issues regarding the hospice movement. I agree with Deputy Burton that some people have provided wonderful facilities over the years. We compliment them on this. The Bill provides a further opportunity to provide additional and extended hospice and palliative care in many locations. To date, many have become benefactors to the hospice movement and they, too, are to be complimented. They are appreciative and supportive of the movement and I acknowledge their efforts, especially in my region.

While this measure offers a further opportunity to provide extra services, I am concerned about the 20-bed limit which could reflect negatively in my area. I have discussed the matter with Deputy Calleary as we are both affected. Castlebar hospital is to have a 14-bed hospice unit, while Roscommon County Hospital will have an eight-bed unit. Collectively, that makes up 22 beds. The Roscommon hospice movement is providing the service, albeit at two locations. Where such a body provides services at two locations, it should be seen as constituting a 20-bed plus development. I make that simple suggestion in the interests of fairness and hope the Minister and his officials will be in a position to accept the idea.

There have been some bad cases concerning nursing homes but, as Deputy Bruton said, so many people are providing wonderful care in nursing homes. The disgraceful things that happened at a couple of locations cannot and will not be allowed to recur. I hope the HSE now has an inspection system in place to prevent such a recurrence.

The amendment states proposals for capital allowances for palliative care units must first be approved by the HSE. By and large, I welcome the Minister's proposal and he is right to introduce it at this time. I am glad to see that there is broad agreement on it, although I am not surprised that some individuals and parties may have their own views. It is important to provide hospice care. We must avail of any opportunity to provide extra space, beds and units. There is now such an opportunity and the Minister should be complimented on availing of it. His predecessor, Mr. McCreevy, was responsible for providing some 30,000 extra places by taking a political decision to support the private nursing home sector. We would not have those places if he had not taken that decision. The same initiative is being shown now thanks to the Minister's innovative proposal. I commend the amendment to the House.

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