Professor Leo Stassen:

It is very important to note that there is a little difference of opinion. Members have heard from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and the Irish Dental Association that there has been no engagement. There has been a box ticking exercise. The Minister has been advised that there has been engagement and consultation. It is disappointing that representatives of the Department are not here because I would like to know what they consider engagement to be. In fairness to the Minister, the information he receives from his advisers is that there has been engagement, but members are hearing from very senior people in the faculty of dentistry and the Irish Dental Association that no meaningful engagement or consultation has occurred.