Order of Business - 15th November 2006

Order of Business - 15th November 2006
Mr. Norris: I support the calls for a debate on the Leas Cross report. Over 100 people, which is a large number, seem to have died in the nursing home, some of whom apparently died unnecessarily. It seems the inspectorate is not working. I am particularly concerned about public facilities that care for the elderly, which are not inspected satisfactorily at all. We should have the Minister in the House to outline the level of inspection of State facilities.
I raise this issue because I had an interest in a patient in such a facility. As far as I could establish, the patient was reasonably well looked after but she developed bed sores. Most people believed, in their ignorant way, as I did, that bed sores just meant an old person was uncomfortable. However, they are a very serious matter and this became known after the revelations about Leas Cross. The woman in question was eventually hospitalised and died as a result of her bed sores. People are not aware of this problem. I am alarmed and concerned that the situation in these public institutions might be quite difficult.
May I also ask for a debate on the Shell to Sea campaign, in light of the Taoiseach’s extraordinary remarks at the weekend? He said, more or less, that dialogue was over and that no further correspondence on this issue would be entertained. I wonder about the fact that he seems to be aligning himself and the Garda with a malign multinational corporation.
Mr. Minihan: That is not true. He was upholding the law.
Mr. Norris: I saw footage down in Limerick at the weekend - I was at a police conference - of people being baton-charged. The police issued an edict that a perfectly legal and peaceful protest was to be banned. The people who were protesting were then baton-charged. I spoke to an independent reporter who had been asked what he was doing while he was standing on a ditch. When he said he was doing his professional work, he was batoned and kicked into the ditch and his camera was smashed. I ask the Taoiseach to remove the plough and the stars from his shoulders because he has certainly done in his socialist credentials. I wonder whether we will be treated to Government-sponsored evictions on behalf of banks and building societies as well.
Can we have a debate on the road tunnel? It has been announced that it will open on 20 December next. Serious concern has been expressed by the Irish Road Haulage Association, the members of which have a heavy professional commitment in this area, that dangerous flammable and toxic materials, including liquids, will be carried through the tunnel without the precautions which are in place in other countries. The road hauliers pointed out that when such materials have to go through much shorter tunnels in Britain, for example, the whole area is cleared and they are brought through in a convoy with flashing lights and with vehicles in front and behind, etc. The response of the man representing the civic authorities here was lamentable - he quoted statistics and said it was statistically unlikely an accident would happen. The problem with accidents is that they cannot be predicted. In light of what the road hauliers have said, it seems we would not be properly prepared if we had an accident here. We should bear in mind that fireballs have been experienced in some continental tunnels. The House would do the nation a service if it were to examine this issue and to consider whether the potential dangers and hazards could be avoided.