Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein)

I, like so many others who watched that "Prime Time" programme, found it very disturbing and upsetting. Our older citizens who are in nursing homes deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Frankly, there is no excuse for what we witnessed on our television screens. I cannot imagine the upset this programme generated for families across this State, with people wondering if their relative or friend was treated the very same way once visiting time was over.

I acknowledge the whistleblowers who came forward and reported their concerns. They should be commended. Unfortunately, this is not a new problem. We all remember the Leas Cross investigation 20 years ago and since then, numerous Governments have promised safeguarding legislation when it comes to this area. Safeguarding teams and social workers need a legal right of entry to residential facilities to ensure all appropriate measures are in place. It is an action I have long supported and one my party's spokesperson on health, Deputy Cullinane, has long advocated for.

We simply cannot rely on private companies to deliver services in this area. The unfortunate reality is that these companies are concerned with profits. That is why we saw the complete lack of medical and sanitary supplies during the documentary. We often hear of staff being urged to penny-pinch to protect the company's profits. That is not how an organisation tasked with caring for vulnerable people should operate.

In the longer term, we need to see investment in the creation of public nursing homes and community beds. We need the establishment of an independent safeguarding authority. I want the same outcome as the Minister of State, namely, the very best standard of care for our older citizens. If we all work together constructively, we can ensure the scenes we saw on our TVs will never be repeated.

See this speech in context