Joe O'Toole (Independent)

We debated the nursing homes question on a number of occasions and the Leader will be aware of the issues raised both on the Order of Business a number of times previously and in discussion through recent statements. I am of the firm opinion that no one set of inspectors can inspect nursing homes and I have argued as much here many times.

There are too many aspects to the job, with facets ranging from health and safety to overcrowding to sanitation to medical issues and others. I have noticed in the debate over the past few days that we see two or three sides arguing, but nobody in this House would know what the argument is exactly about. Some people may be too intense about it and do not like the way it is being done.

What exactly are we checking and what boxes are to be ticked? Everybody in this House would agree there should doubtlessly be an intense inspection regime. I have previously asked how this can be done and how any one person could have the ability to do it. It continues to be my view that local doctors might do one aspect of the job, health and safety officers might do another and sanitation workers would also play a part. The work would produce reports each year or every few months. This would be a more dependable process.

It would be worthwhile discussing the issue again, although we should not have an argument about it. I do not know the answers to these problems but I am unhappy with how they currently stand. Others would be as well.

I thank the Leader for scheduling the business on at 5 p.m., which we asked for last week. It is much appreciated.