Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

I called for a debate two weeks ago on the neglect of our elderly in light of a report published at the time. What we witnessed last night was absolutely appalling and something will have to be done about it urgently. I call for the Health (Nursing Homes) Act 1990 to be amended urgently and an independent inspectorate to be put in place. It is right that we compliment RTE on the programme. It was investigative journalism at its best.

I compliment the gardaí who placed their lives on the line during the robbery in Lusk. Gardaí do so on our behalf every day in the course of their duties. I agree with Senator Maurice Hayes that the existence of a Garda ombudsman would offer the best means of investigating incidents such as this.