I could not think of a more fitting day to introduce this Bill on adult safeguarding. Today, I had the pleasure of welcoming to the Dáil people I used to support - Ciarán Wall, Ger Ryan, Liam Burke, Gerard Connolly, Peter Glendon, Vincent Anthony, Michael Fenton, Róisín Rockett and Billy Gear. They are some of the most amazing people I had the pleasure of working with as a carer for adults with disabilities. For almost two decades I worked as a carer with the Brothers of Charity, supporting adults with disabilities to live independent full lives - their best life. It was far more than just a job; we built real friendships with those we cared for. I am so happy to have been able to welcome them here today. It is for people just like them that we are introducing this safeguarding legislation. The harsh reality is that not every care home works to the highest standards, as we have seen time and again on TV. Enough is enough. We do not need to see such scenes any more. It is happening every day, right now. Time and again we have seen some of our most vulnerable citizens failed by those entrusted with their safety and well-being. It is damning that after all these years with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael in power, they have failed to deliver adequate safeguarding legislation. Once again it has been left to us - the Opposition - to bring forward meaningful safeguards that will finally bring about real accountability. Does the Minister of State not think they need assurance and safeguarding legislation? They deserve it.

Sentiment score: 0.30