Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

When we are discussing the proposed new dental Act and regulation, which we all believe is required, enforcement and so on goes with that. In terms of the perspective of members of the public, they want to have confidence in the profession but also value for money. They want reasonably priced dental services. When we regulate to the point where we are trying to protect the integrity of the profession, often it comes at a cost, but equally when we start to protect the profession or give it an advantage over anybody else who might want to compete, simply because they cannot register because they do not qualify means only one thing to many people, namely, dearer dentistry costs. Dental services in Ireland are quite expensive when compared with most OECD countries, particularly in the area of orthodontics. When we do regulate, if we cut out people currently providing services it will be argued that costs could become dearer for people. Does Dr. Croke see a potential loss of capacity in the system to deliver in the area of orthodontics if we regulate according to the way the council is proposing? Will there be a loss of capacity? If that is the case, the result will be increased prices.