Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies. The amendment raises a very important issue. I appreciate that it is being sought by the profession. I am in full agreement that dentists, along with other healthcare professions, should strive to maintain professional competence and that regulators should have appropriate powers in this area.

I fully agree. We have a reputable dental profession and we all know that dentists take that their obligations seriously by keeping their skills updated, but that requirement is not on a statutory footing as is the case for some other healthcare professionals. We need to move on this matter and regulate for that. However, I cannot do it through this amendment. I know that the Deputy would not have expected me to do so.

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