Mr. Hank Fogarty:

In regard to renewals, it is a requirement of the system that everybody must apply for renewal every 12 months. In addition, if there are material changes to an original application, the applicant must flag those changes. We go through all of those renewal applications as well as the first-time applications.

On the requirement for three years experience, I did not see that in the scheme and we do not have it. We do, of course, require relevant experience, encompassing skills, knowledge, competence and commitment. If we are satisfied in that regard, we register applicants in those areas where they have a proven track record. That is the regime we have in place. We currently have 1,050 registrations, but we are losing members because people see the onerous nature of what is required and are asking why they should have to comply with continuing professional development, CPD, requirements and all the other minimum requirements when their competitors do not have to do the same. I hope the Bill will provide a fillip for us and we will have no difficulty in terms of the logistics of registering members correctly.