Ivor Callely (Fianna Fail)

I am prompted to respond to the two previous speakers on the nursing home issue. I have stated publicly in the past in regard to the HSE that the jury is out and that I hope the verdict will be delivered shortly. The previous situation in regard to nursing homes was that 14 health boards were applying 14 different sets of regulations. This meant that some elderly people had to dispose of their homes and utilise all their funds to avail of nursing home care while others were not obliged to do so. At least the proposed legislation has some element of fairness. I wholeheartedly support the calls for a debate, but we must ensure we have the facts about the proposal.