Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I welcome that the Minister for Finance, on what appears to have been a solo run, has put an end to the payment of €40 million in bonuses to senior bankers in AIB. I do not welcome that on a "Prime Time Investigates" programme, Ireland was exposed last night to a series of incidents of indignity, inhumanity and unchristian and uncaring activities. A number of years ago, Deputy O'Dowd used freedom of information legislation to expose the position that applied in the Leas Cross nursing home, as it then was, and a number of others. The "Prime Time Investigates" programme broadcast last night exposed rottenness at the heart of Irish society. While this may well be relevant to a minority of carers, it was a sickening episode of inhumanity to elderly persons and was something that could happen to anyone or to everyone's mother in such a situation. This is not what the Taoiseach wishes to see, nor what this House wishes to see and it is not something with which Ireland should be obliged to put up.

I would not mind but the impact of the programme was quite devastating for many people. There were images of an elderly person being force fed in 2010, which is an unacceptable practice. Persons who were not vetted, trained or used to administering drugs or food in its various forms to elderly people were visiting the private homes of elderly people. There were uncaring attitudes, where elderly people who were still able to do things for themselves were not allowed to do so. It is a modern-day form of human imprisonment of the worst type.

The Taoiseach has been an advocate of the things he has done in Government and how he has conducted its business. He said on more than one occasion-----

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