Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

I am well disposed to what Senator Henry is seeking to do. Unfortunately, I do not have any legal ingenuity about how we would do it. We have consulted on it and we may consult further. From time to time it may be necessary to go outside the State to get the type of medical expertise appropriate for specialised injuries. The medics involved, therefore, would not be medical practitioners under the 1978 Act. That is the difficulty. The PIAB would refer medical reports to its own medical panel, which would consist of properly registered members under the 1978 Act. I had a discussion in advance of this with Senator Henry. I will reflect on what she said and consult further with the Attorney General to see if it is possible to do what she wants. If it is not, I assure the Senator that the PIAB will refer medical reports from non-registered practitioners to its own independent medical panel of experts. Perhaps I could reflect on how that might happen and come back to the Senator.