Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 25 September 2019

Select Committee on Health

Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2019: Committee Stage

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

I oppose section 36 for the reasons already outlined in dealing with amendment No. 12. We have had a discussion on the effectiveness and impact of publication. The Minister of State is aware of my concerns about the need to balance the rights of the regulator with those of the general public and the registrant. There are three actors in any scenario. The current system provides for an appeal at regulator level in regard to publication, but it is being removed and admonished censure will now automatically always be a matter for the High Court. For all of the reasons I have outlined, I do not think this is necessary. That is not to suggest I do not value and welcome any provision that strengthens the public interest element of the legislation, but what is proposed is unnecessary and unduly harsh on the registrant.

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