Camillus Glynn (Fianna Fail)

This is timely legislation. It comes more than 40 years after the enactment of the 1956 Act, which served well in the situation that obtained at that stage. However, many sections of the Act are now outmoded and the Bill addresses that problem in a comprehensive way.

I am informed by a representative of the Association of Optometrists, Ireland, that it welcomes the Bill. It is difficult to achieve perfection when drafting legislation and the association has communicated some slight concerns to the Minister, which, I am sure, he will address on Committee Stage. He has already mentioned one such change.

I am delighted to welcome the Opticians (Amendment) Bill. I remind Senator Feighan that old habits die hard. It will take time for the substitution of the old term "optician" with that of "optometrist" to be accepted. The Minister's intention is clearly defined in the Bill, which is long overdue, and I thank Senator Feighan for welcoming it.

Too many people suffer poor eyesight unnecessarily. The Opticians Act has remained unchanged since 1956, even though there was agreement on a number of amendments as long ago as 1969. This Bill provides for modernisation in this sector of health provision. The proposed amendments provide for a number of changes to the original legislation which will bring these health professions into the 21st century.

The objectives of the legislation have already been outlined and if I repeat them it is only to underline their importance. The Bill proposes to deregulate the sale of ready-readers. The Association of Optometrists has said that the deregulation of ready-readers should not be a substitute for proper eye testing. We are reliably informed that their protracted use can lead to injury to eyesight. Who am I to contradict those who are professionally qualified to make such judgments? The Bill also proposes to re-title ophthalmic opticians as optometrists in order to ensure that the registration of optometrists and dispensing opticians is clearly in accordance with EU regulations and requirements, to update monetary penalties and to remove the absolute prohibition on treatment and prescription or administration of drugs by optometrists.