Martin Conway (Fine Gael)

It would be remiss not to comment on the two maiden speeches of both Senator O'Donnell and Senator McAleese. It is evident that the Taoiseach chose well.

I wish to make two points. First, I was disturbed to read media reports in recent days of significant overpayments within the Health Service Executive. Funds are tight and people are suffering enough but to see computerised self-generated systems significantly overpaying in terms of contracts, staff and so on is worrying.

Second, I agree with previous speakers on the issue of care of the elderly, what is happening in nursing homes and the Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, report. It would be important for the Minister for Health to come to the House and update Members on what is happening with HIQA. It is disturbing that closure orders have been served on three nursing homes since 2009, and from what we are hearing there may be many more, but we need a national discussion on the important issue of care of the elderly. I agree with Senator Bradford that it is not a straightforward position of putting people in nursing homes. Older people should be able to live in their own homes independently for as long as is humanely possible. They are the people who created this society and given us the future we are going to have and it is important that we would have a national debate on this issue. I suggest the Leader should talk to the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, about setting up a structure whether it be a commission on the status of older people or finding some way of ensuring we have a debate and that we, as legislators, ensure the tools are available for older people to live a full, healthy and interactive life, with access to entertainment, sport and whatever else they wish for as long as possible. We have let down older people in recent years and we have an opportunity to redress that but a debate is necessary.