Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach. I paid my own tribute to former Senator Jackman yesterday, but I am thinking of her husband, Nick, her daughter, Nicola, and her sister, Ursula, who are watching this morning. I pass on my sympathies again. I thank my colleagues and I am sure many more will be contributing further kind words regarding the passing of the late Mary Jackman.

The CEO of Age Action Ireland was on "Morning Ireland" today speaking about senior citizens and the withdrawal of Ulster Bank and KBC from Ireland. I am on the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach, and this issue was raised at our last meeting. We have had several meetings where we have brought in representatives of the banks. The spokesperson for Age Action Ireland today echoed the point I had made at the meeting of the joint committee last week. Many of us are computer-savvy or adept at email. People are receiving letters and emails about these bank changes and they must go online to change their direct debits and similar services. While the representatives of the banks who appeared at the finance committee said they were going to have people on hand to provide help in the banks, several technological aspects must still be surmounted.

Many older people are afraid because they are not computer savvy. This is causing them stress and strain. We should have a debate here regarding how best to advise people in this situation. Perhaps representatives of the banks could be brought in. While they have come to the joint committee already, we should communicate our reservations now concerning what older people are going through because of these changes. It is not a nice place for older people to find themselves. Banks have become all about computers now. This suits some people, but not all. This is one of the main reasons that I raise this issue today.

I may sound like a broken record when I bring up the topic of University Hospital Limerick, UHL, but it has been reported today in the newspapers that a family's loved one, who was in UHL, disappeared from the hospital. That person was missing for several hours before being found by the Garda. I am aware as well of another family whose members encountered a similar situation recently, but they did not go public about what happened.

Given this type of issue, as well the overcrowding in the hospital and the number of people waiting on beds there, it is evident that there is a serious problem at UHL. I asked the Deputy Leader yesterday if she would contact the Minister's office in this regard. I asked the Deputy Leader to do that because I wrote to that office seeking clarification regarding what is going to happen with the independent review. To date, I have received no correspondence in response on this issue. I am concerned for the health and safety of not only families and their loved ones who are using the hospital, but also for the staff. In the article where the family I mentioned gave details about their loved one going missing from the hospital, they said they would never go back to the hospital again. It is a terrible indictment of a hospital for a family to state they are afraid to take their loved one back there. Therefore, I would like the Acting Leader's support regarding this issue.