Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

On another matter, when the neglect of the elderly at Leas Cross was first exposed by "Prime Time Investigates" more than one year ago, both Houses rightly debated the matter in full, with a very good debate taking place in this House. Commitments were given by the Department of Health and Children that new legislation would be introduced to ensure regulations were put in place to protect the elderly in such homes. It is a matter of concern that months after Professor O'Neill concluded his report into the Leas Cross issue neither House of the Oireachtas has had an opportunity to see the report in full. Yesterday, the leader of my party in the other House raised the issue and put on the record some of the conclusions.

Will the Leader find out from the Government when it is intended to publish the O'Neill report? After its publication, will this House have an opportunity to debate the matter in full? Such a debate would allow us to agree that from this day forward, the legislation, guidelines and reporting mechanism are clear and that what happened in Leas Cross, or what Professor O'Neill's report implies happened, will never happen again. That is the collective response we should take. Will the Government publish the report in full as soon as possible?