Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

——nor will I impugn your integrity. However, I share the concerns of Senators Frances Fitzgerald, Alex White, Paul Bradford and others who referred to the proposed nursing homes Bill. That Bill will deserve a most comprehensive debate and should not be rushed prior to Christmas. The last such Bill was struck down by the courts because of the illegal charges imposed on older people. The rights of older citizens who are medical card holders were thoroughly vindicated. Is the Minister proposing to row back on that judgment and, as has been suggested in the media today, introduce the measure under the cover of the blaze of budget details which presumably will be in the media on Thursday? Will the Leader respond to this? The Bill is a serious matter and will require detailed consideration by everyone. I hope it is not the intention of the Government to publish it on Thursday and rush it through both Houses of the Oireachtas prior to Christmas.