Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their evidence. I have two questions, with one relating to a submission we have not yet heard. It relates to the training. We will hear from radiologists that "when compared with the trained and regulated health care professionals previously described, we have found no substantive evidence of appropriate training, referral criteria, audit or accountability". Will the witnesses outline for us their training levels and how they compare with training levels in the North or England, where this practice is allowed? Do they do something different 50 or 60 miles up the road that people are not doing here? It would be helpful to explain that for us so we can understand the process.

If the Department continues on the path it has indicated and chiropractors are not brought into the process, what practical effect will it have on work and the ability of witnesses to carry out their work? The comments on going back to 1999 are interesting. Is it correct to say that between 1999 and today, the practice has continued without any adverse occurrences? Is there a reason we should be concerned? It strikes me that in 1999 the association was willing to engage with regard to regulations and satisfying the criteria that might be put in place. I assume the state of play is still the same and the association is still happy to engage on this. In the discussions with the Department, has there been an indication of any minimum standards that should be fulfilled that the association is not currently fulfilling? Has the association been advised of anything not being done that the Department would like it to do?