Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I, too, want to raise the issue of elderly care. We often apply rules and regulations without compassion. I believe that has occurred in this case. This needs to be resolved as a matter or urgency, particularly in the case of this couple who are married and have lived together for over 63 years and, owing to the manner in which regulations are being implemented, are not now to be accommodated together. We need to ensure that their views are taken on board.

Senator Conway-Walsh referred to bed closures. We now have more nursing home beds than ever before. There are over 23,000 people in nursing homes under the fair deal scheme and we are funding many community hospitals to bring them up to standard. While the Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, has assisted in raising standards it has also created problems. For example, I have heard of a case where there were two beds in a room which would have accommodated a couple such as the couple currently being discussed in the media but because the beds were one or two inches too close together, the room was deemed unsuitable for two people. We sometimes need to bend the rules to ensure people are accommodated.

In regard to the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017, as a practising solicitor I have some concerns about the Bill as published. I hope it is not written in stone and that there can be an open debate on it such that the final Bill will serve our best interests, not only from a political point of view but from the point of view of how our judicial system is managed. For the last 80 years, judges have served this country well. They have displayed their independence and pushed out the boat on a lot of issues in respect of which the State has not fulfilled its role and obligation to citizens. It is important that that independence is preserved and that we do not put in place a structure that in any way interferes with that independence. I will be conveying my concerns to the Minister on this matter because I believe some amendment of the Bill is necessary.