Ms Deirdre Walsh:

No, that is a separate matter. The physiotherapists raised that in the context of the basic safety standards directive, which is currently being transposed into Irish law. It was one of the professions that sought to be included as a referrer in that directive. The Minister, having considered the matter, is transposing the directive for those professionals already covered under the older directive, so he is modernising it. They are not being included at this point but this concerns the wider exercise. These people were party to one from a number of professions that sought to be included under the basic safety standards directive. It goes to the heart of scope of practice and extended scope of practice. Within the Department they are looking at workforce planning and within that strategic framework they are looking at scope of practice for a range of health and social care professionals. The matter is in that basket and it is not appropriate to these regulations. It relates to the basic safety standards directive.