Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)

I thank Senator Phelan for sharing his time. Now is the time for measured words. The Government has got many things right when it comes to care of the elderly. In my local town there is a public nursing home, Plunkett Home, which it is a joy to visit. Family members live in the community. However, there are cases where the Government has not got it right. We waited a full year for a physiotherapist to be stationed in Plunkett Home in Boyle with the result that the elderly in the home were without physiotherapy for a year and a half. That was a case of negligence.

There are instances where nursing homes cannot employ somebody or where nobody wants to locate in an area full time. These situations should not be allowed to continue for such a long period. If the elderly have to go without physiotherapy for a year and a half it is systematically robbing them of their integrity and their health. While the Government has got much right in this area there are instances where it has got it wrong.

There are times when somebody should say we did not ensure the right procedures were followed. For example, what is the position of health boards? There are individuals in executive positions in the health boards who should ensure proper procedures are in place and that there are proper inspections. Will anybody in the health boards have to apologise or be sacked? No, because a cosy cartel has been created that is more important than the politicians. As politicians we can shout, as can the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children but these individuals know they are safe in their positions, where the benchmarking awards apply, which I welcome. However, these people must ensure they put in an honest day's work for an honest day's pay. We have created many positions of title but no responsibility. Perhaps, it is time to look at many of these positions. Clearly, the health boards need to be looked at.

Many would not be in nursing homes were it not for cutbacks in home help. Every day I, along with other politicians on both sides of the House, try to get extra home help. If home help cannot be secured the elderly have to go into a public hospital or a public or private nursing home. These are areas where we can make a difference.

As a restaurateur I find it hard to believe that while environment health officers have the powers of inspection and can close down a business if one's kitchen is a little dirty, there is no knock-on effect on some of the poor unfortunate elderly who have been systematically humiliated, as we saw in the television programme on Monday night. Sometimes the power of the media can be more important than the power of politicians. In this instance the media has instilled a sense of fear in those who want to go into a nursing home. Even those of us at a young age are beginning to ask who will look after us.

Perhaps it is time to look at the family unit. We may have become very selfish. Instead of putting our elderly parents into nursing homes we should perhaps consider looking after them at home. This situation has created a sense of anxiety and disbelief. This has been a very important lesson which should not be regarded as a political football. The Government has take some action but on this occasion it could do better.