Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

In the Bill, as published, there was a reference to the HSE facilitating "to the extent practicable", and the Medical Council made the point of asking what that meant, for instance, if it meant they can use resources. We got rid of that for the reason Deputy Twomey outlined.

The cost of competence assurance has not been determined yet. We know the cost to the Medical Council of administering competence assurance. Having heard from the Medical Council, I felt it was important the State would have to pay up here. We have not determined the extent to which the State will have to pay up, but certainly the idea is that it will be a large proportion of the cost.

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