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

I note the requirement on the recognition of specialties.

Setting up a structure within which the association can operate on an ongoing basis means it does not have to wait forever to be called upon. Every Department receives hundreds or thousands of calls, sometimes in a week. Therefore, it is a matter of convergence. I, like everyone else around the table, have dealt with cases involving very intricate, miraculous and absolutely unbelievable reconstruction work done in this country. It was very effective and on time. There are only two specialists in this area. Maybe some patients have to be sent outside the State; I do not know. It goes back to a structured approach in this case and in many others.

Would it be fair to say orthodontics has been forgotten in this country for many years?