David Norris (Independent)

From what the Minister of State says, my support for the original amendment is growing. She implies that the care plan depends on access to an assessment. It would be daft to allow a couple of bloody-minded patients to gum up the works. I am afraid to say that I am turning against human rights and becoming authoritarian in this regard. She agreed with Senator Fitzgerald that it is vital to have this information for the sake of patient welfare.

I know a little bit about awkward patients. I do not mind saying they sometimes waste public money, time and space because I know something about the way they behave. The overriding interest of the State is the welfare of the citizen. The issue should be reviewed before Report Stage, particularly if case histories can be found that would make us more sympathetic. People at this stage of their lives are in need of care and supervision. They may well be fractious but there is nothing to suggest that the reports would be disastrous for them. Exceptional circumstances would be required for the assessment not to be delivered.

The question of the State's resources also arises because there could be considerable duplication of efforts. If the receiving team in the nursing home does not have access to the relevant information it would have to start from scratch, which is a waste of time, money and resources. I am not unsympathetic to the needs of elderly and difficult patients. There have been some difficult personalities in my families but I have been authoritatively told by close relatives that I will be worse than any of them when I am older. I look forward to that glorious day and to being as difficult as I possibly can be.