Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein)

I echo the sentiments of my colleagues who condemned the abuses in the Rostrevor nursing home. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Health to the House to discuss not only abuses in nursing homes but also abuses across all institutions of the Health Service Executive, including general and psychiatric hospitals. He should seek to carry out a review of historical cases of abuse that may have been reviewed internally in the relevant institutions but which may have been put to bed when evidence went missing. There are legacies of abuse in such institutions. I have a very close friend, a psychiatric nurse, who tried to raise issues associated with the abuse of patients, but he was cast aside and had to leave his job as a result. While there is much talk about whistleblower legislation, we must ensure it is enforced.

I echo Senator Averil Power's comments on legislation on civil partnership. Before the collapse of the last Government, there was a commitment to make the required legislative changes in the Finance (No. 2) Bill this year. I ask that the changes be legislated for speedily.