Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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The amendments that have been ruled out of order relate to self-referral to a physiotherapist. As I understand it, the Minister for Health is supportive of this idea. The Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists supported the Minister for Health on this move. This makes sense. We cannot press the amendments as they have been ruled out of order because they impose a charge on the Exchequer. I ask the Minister to indicate the reason this proposal will not be allowed. It would have the effect of reducing the number on waiting lists for orthopaedic and rheumatology services. Therefore, it is an important proposal. People who know that they need to go to a physiotherapist should not have to be referred by a GP. It is health policy and, as I understand it, the Minister for Health is supportive of this idea of self-referral to a physiotherapist. Why can it not be allowed for within the scope of this Bill?