Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I welcome the very interesting contributions made by two of our distinguished new colleagues in the House this morning. I was particularly taken by a comment of Senator Martin McAleese on the obligation on us all to have respectful or sensitive commemorations of the various historical events that will occur in the next decade or so. Almost six years ago I asked in this House that the then Government begin preparations for the centenary celebration of the 1916 Rising. That celebration will have to be approached in a very careful and sensitive fashion. This House is a forum in which we could debate and consider the types of commemorations that would be most appropriate.

I support my colleagues who have asked for a detailed debate on nursing homes. In the previous Seanad I frequently raised the issue of the care of the elderly. Even when we were bringing forward legislation to deal with nursing homes and make financial provision therefor, I expressed my profound concern that our only aspiration as a society appeared to be to provide what I described as a "clean bed in a clean nursing home". If that is our only aspiration for elderly people, we are in a very sad place.

I thank the Cathaoirleach for giving me a little latitude. There is a powerful editorial in today's edition of the Irish Examiner referring to indifference. A major speech entitled, The Perils of Indifference, was made many years ago by Jewish scholar Elie Wiesel. We are now demonstrating the perils of indifference to the elderly. We need to reflect on this as a society and have a very constructive, inclusive debate on our aims for the elderly. These aims must be more ambitious than simply providing a bed in a nursing home. A nursing home must be an inclusive place in an inclusive society. I would welcome an urgent debate on nursing home care, but the debate on the elderly should be far wider than this.