Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I ask the Leader to bring to the attention of the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the question of the independence of the nursing home inspectorate. In May last year the Taoiseach stated, "The inspectorate will be independent of the HSE. Otherwise, the HSE would be referring patients and also examining [facilities]". In other words, it cannot do both. I refer to this matter because the Bill to create the authority has not yet been finalised. The draft proposals have been put to the interested parties and they do not propose an independent authority for inspecting nursing homes. Perhaps the Leader could find out what is happening in this regard and whether it is the case that the proposals are not for an independent inspectorate.

To follow on from the point made by Senator Dardis, I ask that we maintain pressure on the Government of Sudan to deliver on what it promised in last year's peace agreement. The agreement of last year took the pressure off that Government but, from what I understand of the situation, pressure needs to be reapplied because it is not delivering on its promises under the agreement.