David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome all the witnesses. My first question is for Mr. O'Flynn. We met to discuss some of these issues some time ago. I thank him for that engagement and for his attendance today at the committee. Proper regulation is not a lot for which to ask. In fact, a lot of people would be amazed that we do not have proper regulation of dentistry, including a statutory code of conduct, and that the Dental Council does not have the ability to inspect practices. All of these elements are basic tenets of regulation. I am aware that the Irish Dental Association has been very supportive of changes in this area.

Mr. O'Flynn's opening statement reads as though the Dental Council has been sent off on a wild goose chase.

There have been four Ministers for Health. A great deal of lobbying has been done by the witnesses' organisation, but no action has been taken. The Dental Council has set out what needs to be done. What is the most recent contact it has had with the Department or the Minister? Is there a sense that there will finally be movement and that legislation that will deal with these issues will be forthcoming? I am asking about the most recent engagement. Mr. O'Flynn referred to previous Ministers and people who work in the Department. What is the sense right now of where things might go in the short term?