Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

Those persons were empowered by that. Every staff member had his or her name displayed. It is a beautifully managed nursing home. Entertainment is provided two or three times a day including people singing with accordions, others telling folk tales and so on. That is what I like to see in a nursing home. I hope the Minister has an opportunity, when he visits the west, to see a public nursing home being run the way I believe is required. It is also well designed.

I said recently there should be nursing home committees in public nursing homes. There are many active people who would be prepared to join a small committee to run these homes. That would empower those older people.

I commend Senator White on producing the report, A New Approach to Ageing and Ageism, and the effort she put into it. Everything in the section regarding residential care is included in that report. I ask the Minister and her officials to read it. The report will be presented to the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party and that section is very much in keeping with what is required. I understand the Minister has already commended Senator White on her work. I wish the Minister well in getting the Bill passed in the House.