Dr. Eamon Croke:

Without crossing the threshold between representative body and regulator, I know the vast majority of the patients are now being seen in the Galway area, which is good news. I am also aware the Dental Council facilitated the release of records. That was through discussions. There is no immediate power there, as such. It boils down to discussions. There is an interesting issue here. I mentioned the need to register practices and practice inspection. In my time, I remember the Dental Council would get information from time to time on things going astray or patients being unhappy. It could be across a broad range of things. It could be the treatment. Many complaints I would describe as consumer complaints and they fall to the Dental Complaints Resolution Service. Some are definitely for the Dental Council and, if the council could come in, it could help. There are multiple human sides in this situation.

There is a debate into the future on how fees are paid. I could be taking fees in advance, drop dead in the morning and it could be completely outside everybody’s abilities. That is a difficulty around Galway but it is not unique in that situation, as Mr. Hourihan said. We have come across people who have come into the country and have closed the doors overnight and left. Change in legislation is required to get in there and deal with the human side of it.