Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail)

I too would like to raise the issue of nursing homes, which was dealt with in last night's "Prime Time" programme. It is of great concern to see how the elderly are being treated. I agree with other Senators, particularly regarding the role of next of kin, which those concerned are obviously neglecting. I would like the Leader to take into account the question of prior notice. There are various agencies in this country, such as the Criminal Assets Bureau and the special investigations unit in the Department of Agriculture and Food, which have the power to swoop on those whom they seek to govern without notice. It is a crazy situation that we grant that kind of notice to people betraying the elderly, destroying their lives in the way that we saw last night. That they should get prior notice, allowing them to clean up their act a few days in advance, while we facilitate people turning up at farmers' gates to deal with issues immediately is crazy.