Prompt publication is essential

THE plight of elderly people in some nursing homes, where the level of care leaves much to be desired, gives added significance to the probe into 95 deaths at the notorious Leas Cross facility in Dublin.

In response to a question from Deputy Fergus O’Dowd of Fine Gael, a politician who has made much of the running on this controversy, the Tánaiste yesterday revealed an independent report would be finalised by the end of December.

Invariably, many of the deaths at the 111-bed facility will be attributed to natural causes. But on the face of it, a death toll of 95 over three years might seem inordinately high and will intensify concerns over an institution where regulations were shamefully breached.