Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is complicated. I know that is the Deputy’s sense of it also. I have heard him speak on the issue many times. The specialist register requires an additional layer of qualifications. It requires certain qualifications for people to be allowed to work as consultants. They include certain training and experience. The people concerned need to work with the Medical Council to have this additional layer of qualifications. They are qualified to work as consultants, but they need additional qualifications to be included in the specialist register. This provision gives them the opportunity to obtain the additional qualifications. It is about the difference between the qualifications of and the training and experience of people in the field. This provision will allow them to work with the Medical Council to achieve the higher level of qualifications required for inclusion in the specialist register. It does not give anyone a shortcut or pass. I was going to say a hospital pass. It does not give anyone a break; it just allows them to reach the higher level set. They have the qualifications; this provisin will just ensure their training and experience are recognised.