Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Two and half years ago, Covid struck our shores and thousands of people have died since. Some 63% of those who died in the first four months of Covid in Ireland died in nursing homes. That figure compares to 41% in the UK and 47% in Sweden. The fact remains that we need an investigation into these deaths. If these were children, I would not have to stand here to ask this question. The Taoiseach said in January of this year that he was considering a variety of options to meet the needs and concerns of families whose 22 relatives died in Dealgan House nursing home in Dundalk, so why has nothing happened? I have put down questions to the Minister for Health. As far as I am concerned, his reply to the last question was a stonewalling answer to the families. It is insulting them and they feel very much aggrieved by the Minister for Health's lack of action in dealing with this issue. It is unacceptable. If these were children, we would have had an answer long ago. I think people will accuse the Minister at this stage of being ageist in his approach to all of these deaths-----

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