Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)

All Members have listened to some of the programmes broadcast which have galvanised and concerned the entire nation. Everyone acknowledges the Minister's legal ability and he has a quite significant stature, both as a senior counsel and as a former Attorney General. The matter which concerned people when he appeared on the "Today with Pat Kenny" radio show after the Supreme Court judgment is that he stated there was no black hole and no urgency with regard to legislation. This surprised people, because everyone realises the implication of what happened yesterday, with the release of Mr. A, as he has been described. It will be followed by similar releases of other people who have been jailed.

I will remind Members of what is happening at present. In my native County Limerick, the gardaí had prepared a case and the book of evidence in respect of a person who had carnal knowledge of a person under 17 years of age. However, they have been instructed by the Director of Public Prosecutions to drop the proceedings. Hence, the stories which Members have read are only the tip of the iceberg. This is happening on a national basis and a gaping black hole does exist.

I acknowledge Deputy McDowell's legal ability. However, while I do not read the Law Society Gazette, I presume it is the bible for those engaged in the business of law-making and in the October 2005 edition, it warned about the implications of this issue. I would be surprised if the Minister did not read it. I have also been surprised that in recent days, Deputy McDowell has stated that neither he, the Attorney General nor the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform was aware of what was happening, but that some people in the Office of the Attorney General may have been aware of developments. I find this incredible and it reminds me of the time when Deputy Martin was Minister for Health and Children and did not remember anything regarding nursing home charges either. Therefore, urgent action is required. I am pleased that the House will return next week and that there may be legislation with which to plug the existing gaps.

However, I wish to raise briefly another issue, which is probably closer to home. I am aware that the chief executive of the Health Service Executive will receive a bonus of €32,000. While I heard a Member mutter something, perhaps he will permit me to finish. I remind the house that the starting salary for a junior nurse is €28,000 per year, rising to €32,000 after four years. Much is heard about primary care and the importance of keeping older people in our community. I wish to illustrate the hypocrisy of the situation by way of an example. I know a man from my own locality who is 85 years of age. Although he has a medical condition, because he has a second pension with the county council, he is debarred from even a single hour of home help. I argue this point with the Health Service Executive because I hate such hypocrisy. Because he has a second pension, that poor man from a rural area cannot get a single hour. This is why I do not accept that an individual deserves a bonus of €32,000. Moreover, the Taoiseach spends something like €500 per week on make-up. Members should cop themselves on and should consider the reality of rural Ireland.