Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is an important and serious report from HIQA. We will examine it in considerable detail. Some of the issues in the 45-page report are concerning in terms of breaches of regulations, management failings, staff shortages and lack of infection control measures. That was after dozens of inspections at homes with confirmed cases since May.

Sometimes we do not acknowledge the role of HIQA in terms of its regulatory functions, a body which I established quite some time ago. It has brought about reforms in health through its regulatory rigour which is applied to all settings without fear or favour. It is not always popular because of that but, nonetheless, it is an important vehicle towards reform.

The Minister has informed me that the expert review on Covid in nursing homes should be on his desk next week. With the publication of that, we should liaise with all parties to work out the next steps on that.

In the first instance, we need to learn the lessons so that we can apply them when issues may arise again - hopefully they will not if we can avoid them - with a second spike in the autumn and the 'flu season. That is the spirit in which I want to approach this. We must also make sure that we take medium-term lessons as to how we reform the care of the elderly into the future and have a broader range of support options for families and people.

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