Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his reply. I return to the issue of the reports and planning as to where we go from here. That is really important and I do not want to leave that point. The family seeks an independent review of this case and this needs to remain on the table here, notwithstanding the fact that the HSE and HIQA are involved in this. Can the Minister indicate what the HIQA and HSE timelines are? A month has now passed. Is the Minister satisfied that this is an isolated incident? I do not believe that he can be confident that it is and this is the concern that people will have in this regard. Can the Minister further outline what plans he has for the broader regulatory framework for our nursing homes? This case highlights an anomaly, a loophole and a gap in the regulation and oversight. While many legal experts are calling for robust and strong safeguarding legislation, I principally require some clarity on the timeline. What timeline can we expect here and when will a report be available and published? On that point, was the Kilbrew nursing home crying out for help? Did it make repeated contact with the HSE or it is the case that this went below the radar? I implore the Minister, in my final ten seconds, that as this is shocking stuff, it needs the full weight of his Ministry to see it resolved.

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