Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his comprehensive outline of the Bill before us. The Fianna Fáil Party welcomes the introduction of this legislation, the details of which we can go through on Committee Stage. There is an obligation on us at this time to ensure regulation and oversight of health and social care professionals, as provided for in the 2005 Act and in this amending legislation which seeks to address some of the technical issues outlined by the Minister.

The Minister, wearing two opposite hats, will be aware of the importance of protecting the integrity of professionals, in particular professionals in the health and social care areas, which are two key areas wherein breaches of trust and the guidelines can have serious consequences for individuals, the professionals and the integrity of that profession. It is important we maintain the highest standards in these areas.

As a pro-European and someone who welcomes free movement of goods and services and the transfer of qualifications between the States, I welcome the transposition of Directive 2005/36/EC.

However, in ensuring the free movement of goods, services and people and the transfer of qualifications between member states, it is critical to have in place some form of governance at EU level to monitor oversight in all member states, because in challenging times of economic difficulties and political upheaval, it could happen that oversight in a particular member state ceases to be sound and robust. However, one would be obligated to recognise the qualifications of medical and care professionals of that state even though one's ability to check out the individuals may be somewhat diminished. In such a situation it is very important to have oversight and monitoring at EU level of directives passed by the Council and European Parliament and transposed by member states. I am not necessarily concerned about this with regard to the Bill but it may arise in future.

Previously, we spoke about Indian and Pakistani doctors coming here. It is important we welcome them and that they are treated with dignity and respect. Unfortunately, this has not always happened. In certain cases they were put up in boarding houses and given less than what I would consider appropriate accommodation. It took some time to assess their qualifications and competencies and in the meantime they were left in limbo. We wanted and welcomed them, but when they arrived we were unable to deal with them in the manner to which they were entitled.

If oversight in any member state or country is questioned or diminished in any way, it brings into question the integrity of everyone who comes from there. We must ensure, therefore, that any country, inside and outside the EU, which provides excellent professionals who come here to dig us out of a hole, so to speak, engages in monitoring to ensure the continued integrity of those who are welcome here and that people cannot question the suitability of individuals. This can happen if the robustness of oversight, training, education, qualifications and standards is diminished. For all these reasons, this is a critical aspect of the directive, the broader internationalisation of medical professionals, and the transfer and freer of movement of people and services throughout the European Union.

Not necessarily related to the Bill is the issue of the PIP implants. Who is responsible for medical devices? The Irish Medicines Board is not responsible. We are told the European Union has an oversight role. At the same time, women throughout Europe who had received the PIP implants which were made of low-grade industrial silicone-----

See this speech in context