Geraldine Feeney (Fianna Fail)

As the Minister of State indicated, the Bill will create greater confidence with regard to the care being delivered to patients. I hope elderly patients will be included in this regard.

Tough lessons must be learned from Leas Cross and we must ensure the type of abuse that occurred there will never happen again. We would not be where we are today were it not for our senior citizens, some of whom are now happily ensconced and being well looked after in nursing homes. We owe a debt of gratitude to these people and they deserve our respect. It is also important to remember that a sense of balance is required in this debate.