Marie Moloney (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister's visit to the House at such short notice. I would have liked the debate to have been a little longer but the Minister has given us this time tonight. I spoke about this on the Order of Business as I was shocked and horrified by what took place.

I worked in a nursing home before I went into politics and I know there are good carers and good facilities across the length and breadth of this country. We must be very careful not to tar everyone with the same brush but as Senator Mary Ann O'Brien said earlier, we have been here before. A year and a half ago we were here talking about the way children were being treated in child care facilities. Before that we were here talking about nursing home facilities. What have we learned from that, and what do we intend to do about it?

I ask the Minister the reason those people were suspended with pay. I worked with a trade union. I know the rules. I know the labour law off by heart-----