John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

I join colleagues in speaking about the armed crime of recent days involving a number of murders. I condemn the activities of those who committed the crimes and urge the Minister to become more active in pursuing those kinds of criminals. Senator Feighan spoke about the particularly poignant case of Alan Cunniffe in Kilkenny who had just taken over as postmaster from his mother last Wednesday. We discussed post offices in this House on a number of occasions. He was shot on the street outside his post office on Friday. I never expected such an event on the streets of Kilkenny, but it has now happened. Such events are all too common and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, rather than directing his mock anger at the media, would be better served directing it at the perpetrators of such horrific crimes.

I agree with other Senators who expressed concern at the proposals announced yesterday by the Minister for Health and Children regarding nursing home care and the possibility of making a link to deceased people who have been in receipt of nursing home care of up to 15% of the value of their home. We should have an early discussion on the issue. I do not agree with it.