Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have dealt with a number of cases of professionals in health and associated areas. Different standards seem to apply at times. Let me give an example. A number of doctors have been appointed to positions for which they were not qualified and we only found out about it afterwards. Whatever system is in place, it is not working. The system in place in veterinary medicine works extremely well because everything is blocked and nothing gets through, not even the smallest technical detail. Qualifications make no difference because everyone has to sit the exams again when they come here. I know that is a restrictive practice and I know the reason for it. We need to be a little more alert in the area of human health too. We must apply the highest European standards. I do not agree with the notion that we should test everybody again and have a separate test, as we have in the medicines area, but we need a very rigorous application of the rules. Without that, we will undermine the quality and standard of the health services, whichever branch it is.