Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Dardis expressed his gratitude to the gardaí who put their lives on the line in Lusk and his regret at the loss of life. Any comment on this matter should include such regrets. No one glories in death. The Senator noted the vote of the French people and the rights of patients involved in the nursing home scandal.

I remember that Senator Finucane previously raised the matter of criminality and the identification of people. Senator Leyden called for an emergency debate on the nursing home issue and expressed his support for the Garda. I did not know of the post office raid which he mentioned. Senator Coghlan commented on the nursing home issue and asked about the status of the research into the national parks and wildlife service.

Senator Dooley raised the issue of prior notice for nursing home inspections. A cigire can go into schools without giving such notice. Advance notice of inspection should not be given to anybody who runs a service. The only way we can find out what is happening is if an inspector can call in whenever he or she wishes.

Senator Quinn spoke about his supermarket and others which were raided. It is only when one speaks to people who have been in such circumstances that one becomes truly aware of the panic and great worry which arise.

Senator Glynn spoke about the "Prime Time" programme on nursing homes and the need for an inspectorate to visit them. While the Senator said procedures and equipment were available to deal with medical problems, the owners of the homes in question were not interested in that. They were interested only in money — the bucks in their fists — and piled in beds and employed inadequate numbers of staff to that end. Senator Terry also expressed her shock at the programme. The problem is with public and private nursing homes, all of which should be subject to extensive scrutiny.

Senator Morrissey spoke about nursing homes and the need for legislation on charities, with which I agree. It often strikes one that the significant sums raised by charities suggest a need for regulation. The Senator supported Senator Dardis on the Garda and spoke of the need for a Garda ombudsman. The House has passed the Garda Síochána Bill, which embodies the proposal for a Garda ombudsman. The Bill is before the Dáil, though I do not know on what Stage.