Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)

The health and social care professionals regulatory Bill is due to be published this session. However, a statutory instrument has just been laid before the House regarding emergency medical technicians or practitioners. Would it not be better for the contents of this statutory instrument to be included in the Bill? I am very concerned that we are now dealing with changes affecting emergency medical practitioners without having an opportunity to discuss or debate issues on registration and fitness to practice, which are contained in the statutory instrument but are not part of the health and social care professionals regulatory Bill. Would it not be better practice and lead to better legislation to have this incorporated into the Bill so that it can be debated in due course? This is a relatively important issue relating to the Hanly report.

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