Geraldine Feeney (Fianna Fail)

The Leas-Chathaoirleach will be delighted to know I intend to move away from the party-political arena.

In light of the heavy criticism of the Government, it is time somebody informed Senator Ryan that his party was in power at one stage. He may have forgotten that because it was a long time ago.

On 1 June 2005, the House heard statements on nursing homes. Early that day, Senator Brian Hayes sought for the Order of Business to be changed in order that we might debate the matter. This move came about in the aftermath of the appalling "Prime Time" programme on Leas Cross. I stated at the time that we should not play politics with what emerged in that programme. All right-thinking people were absolutely appalled by the blatant abuse that appeared on their television screens. Examining what I said in that debate, it still makes my stomach sick to read about that which we were discussing 18 months ago, namely, patients being left in wet beds, forced to take medication and bullied, and old men and women being held down and staff cursing at them. It is frightening to think that this happened and that it could happen again.

I am a member of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children which last week was addressed by Mr. Aidan Browne, a former nurse and current national director of the HSE's primary care unit. Mr. Browne came before the committee with a team of people and outlined what the HSE has done since the Leas Cross scandal emerged.

At present, there are 436 private nursing homes in operation. Public nursing homes are much better monitored and run than those in the private sector.