Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I, too, support Deputy Jan O'Sullivan's amendment. It focuses on one of the real deficiencies in relation to the whole approach behind this Bill. There is no commitment to ensure adequate provision for people who will need nursing home care at some stage in their lives. God forbid, it could be for any of us in this Chamber this evening.

I am deeply alarmed by one of the major purposes of the legislation, namely, to remove the entitlement to a public bed in a public nursing home free of charge. That has been a right heretofore but the Bill seeks to remove that entitlement. There has been a universal right, albeit against a shortage of bed provision has, to that entitlement. To put it in simple terms, if any of us was to have a cardiac arrest we are entitled under current legislation to have access to a free public bed in a public hospital to get the care required. However, if one of us was to have a stroke and required longer term nursing care support the person concerned would no longer have the same entitlement and right as a citizen as had been enjoyed up to now.

This will have very serious consequences for people in the future. Given the bent of this Government and this Minister - and I do not divorce one from the other although the Government would like to hid behind the current Minister - this is the position that has been repeatedly endorsed by the Taoiseach. Their whole bent is towards the privatisation of health care need and provision, something I strongly oppose. In a time of ever straitening economic circumstances it is another of those areas along with the litany of others involving people in greatest need, who will suffer first and most from the Government's approach.

It is very important to have the necessary assessment regarding provision of resources and accountability should be made directly to the Houses of the Oireachtas. This is something that needs to be affirmed and I hope the Minister of State will accept the amendment on behalf of the Minister and the Government. Given the make-up of this Government and the Department's stewardship there is little hope otherwise for people having their real concerns and needs aired honestly in the future.

See this speech in context