David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)

With respect, the process in the House is that we engage with people outside the House. Parties, organisations and people who are represented in this House should be given the same opportunity.

I commend the report and the work undertaken to bring it about. It also highlights the role a second Chamber can undertake and I have long made the point that the Seanad can be a place to give us a unique opportunity as public representatives to engage with the public and people of expertise. It is to be hoped this will happen in the long term as part of Seanad reform.

I agree with the bulk of the report's recommendations. In particular, Ireland can take a leading role in the advancement of the UN convention on the rights of older people. This is a significant gap in the UN's body of treaties and it is clear from other treaties such as the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment that such conventions can play a positive role in advancing the rights of vulnerable groups.

The Minister of State referred to mental capacity. Whatever about the language used, we are all agreed that this is an area which has caused consternation over the years and must be reformed. That reform must apply not merely to older people but to everybody.

I welcome the recommendations contained within the report to revise the area of wardship, a Victorian concept that is no longer fit for purpose. I also find much to recommend in the proposals relating to quality standards for home care packages, health statistics audits for community care, a greater degree of flexibility in respect of carer's allowance and clarity regarding entitlements for older people.

Unfortunately, the Acting Chairman is indicating that my time is up. I will conclude by pointing out that both Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh and I have called on several occasions for the publication of both the national ageing strategy and the national strategy on carers. I look forward to the publication of both of these plans in due course and, more importantly, to their implementation in a properly resourced and effective manner.