Mr. Muiris O'Connor:

Yes, that is an important aspect in terms of regulation and the mutual recognition of professional qualifications for doctors and all health and social care professionals. It is singularly helpful that within the European context there is mutual recognition of all these qualifications. There are serious implications for this area. From day one of the UK leaving, those responsible in the UK are likely to mirror the existing EU arrangements. Much will depend on the inclination of the UK as regards UK professional qualifications thereafter. There is an eagerness at official level and among professional bodies to maintain the equivalences in place as well as the mutual recognition of qualifications, but we cannot take anything for granted. Further and closer engagement with our Northern Ireland and UK counterparts as well as with the broader European Union will be important.

I and senior HSE people attended a discussion recently up North. The idea was to broaden and deepen our understanding of the potential implications and preparations. However, it became clear that it is not only a question of member state governments but also a matter for the royal colleges and the professional bodies associated with the recognition of qualifications in various jurisdictions. This area will require substantial further work. It is an area of key importance.