Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I asked the Taoiseach for his explanation as to why the recommendations made by expert bodies have not been followed through. He said no one can stand over this situation, the Minister of State will carry out a review and there will be a full inquiry - whether it is public or whatever - in respect of what we saw last night.

In September 2009 the NESF report was released which made it very clear what should be done. In October 2009 the Law Reform Commission reported in the same way. In November 2009 the absent Minister of State with responsibility in this area said she would introduce guidelines as early as possible in 2010. We are now told that, a year on, she will do something in the spring. What is the explanation of the Government as to why this has not happened?

I contrast the situation with the fact that the Government is prepared to write a cheque, irrespective of the amount, for banks. We rushed through nursing home legislation in 2006 to take almost €1 billion from elderly people. The legislation in respect of the bank guarantee scheme was rushed through. Legislation will be rushed through tomorrow in respect of credit institutions dealing with bank restructuring. However, there is no urgency about the most vulnerable, deprived and sensitive in our society, namely, those people who are of elderly and venerable years who, in these cases, were demonstrated to be the victims of inhumanity and a downright lackadaisical approach.

I have a letter from An Garda Síochána dated 13 October 2008 which refers to an application made by an eligible group for vetting in order to work with elderly people. Nobody has been vetted, two years on, to work with the elderly people in question. It is another symptom of the situation whereby people with no training or regulation are visiting elderly people. In view of that fact, is the Taoiseach prepared to be big enough to apologise to the elderly people concerned for the situation which has occurred on the watch of his Government, where neither regulation nor care has been practised in the cases evidenced in the "Prime Time Investigates" report?

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