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

The answer to the first question on the specialist register is "Yes".

Regarding the second question on the appointment of consultants, I do not know whether that practice will be changed by this provision. I am not certain about that. I know that there was a judgment in the courts recently related to that. I will get that clarified for the Chairman as part of the aforementioned briefing. That would involve the existing legislation as well so it will have to be reviewed. This amendment would not change it but I will have to look at the other legislation to give the committee the overall picture and answer the Chairman's question on the future for people acting as consultants but not on the specialist register.