Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)

I welcome the information provided by the Minister for Health and Children. Some people are practising acupuncture, reflexology and homoeopathy, which are popular, but the laws that govern doctors and medicines do not extend to these people. Persons can set themselves up as a homoeopath, natural healer, reflexologist or anything else and are not answerable to outside bodies unless they volunteer to be so.

The issue is not one of registration but regulation. I raised the matter of Ms Mineke Kamper, who has been practising for a long time, although I call it "killing". I have been raising the issue of alternative practitioners since 2002 because it worries me. In County Mayo, the local pathologists have proven beyond all reasonable doubt that Mr. Paul Howie and Ms Jacqueline Alderslade died of treatable organic diseases due to alternative practitioners diverting them from traditional medical therapy or giving them a drug that may have led to their demise. These practitioners are unlicensed, untested and bogus. When they give medication, the State Laboratory has proven several times that it is nothing but a placebo composed of starch and sugar with no active ingredients.

While the second inquest into Mr. Howie's death was being conducted, which Ms Kamper did not attend and was fined €6.35 subsequently, she was treating children and using a pendulum to decide what tablets they needed. Where is the legislation to protect the safety and health of our population from the menace of such rogue alternative practitioners? She has killed two people and more will follow. Even the welfare of the snails on a golf course are protected by our laws. What about the health and safety of our vulnerable citizens? Surely homo sapiens are as important as snails.

The Minister said there are no plans to introduce legislation to regulate alternative medical practitioners at present. I am aware of the working group and advisers she mentioned. I am sure Ms Terry Garvey is a fine broadcaster but what does she know about this issue? Two innocent people who should not have died are now dead. This is the tip of the iceberg. For how long will it continue? The Minister mentioned a lack of plans to introduce legislation but the Dáil rushed through legislation yesterday concerning the British-Irish Agreement relating to cross-Border waterways just to save the Government's skin. We did the same with the nursing home charges legislation. People are dying. We need to pass this legislation quickly. We must move beyond all the reports and advice. I agree with informing people about what is happening but we need to pass this legislation. We know what we have to do. People are dying while the Government is interested in protecting the habitat of snails.

Paul Howie had cancer on his tonsil which was visible. I am sure that man would be alive today to see his children graduate had he been given the chance, but he was not. If a law regulating this area were in place, he would have got that chance. Jackie Alderslade, an asthmatic, only needed to take the tablets she was prescribed, but she did not get them. This practitioner in question is all-pervading and so persuasive, she can convince people it is best for them to stay under her care.

What about the rights of the children? It was stated in the Irish Independent that people should know better but what about children? They do not know better because they are brought by parents to these practitioners. I do not know where it will all end. What will the Tánaiste do to ensure the bodily integrity of children is protected in the Constitution — as outlined in the Ryan case — and by the State? The Tánaiste is failing in that respect. I am not convinced by her answer to my question. She is failing to address this issue, as did the former Minister, Deputy Martin.

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