Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I strongly support this amendment. I have kept an eye on it despite not being a member of the relevant committee. My attention was brought to the gaps, to use an inappropriate word in this context. The whole system for the provision of dental services is full of gaps. The Minister knows that I became aware of the issue as the result of a particular case in Galway, to which I will not refer. In fact, I understand the professional involved did their damnedest to provide a service notwithstanding the ill-health in question. However, what was really brought home to me was the failure of the system to deal with a situation in which somebody got sick. That was one aspect of the matter. The Dental Council of Ireland said it was up to the ill person to deal with it. I then became aware of other gaps and the failure to have ongoing education, which is the most basic requirement. I wanted to come in to make that point. I thank the Deputy for bringing forward the amendment, which I support.

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