Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)

All professions are. The legislation does not prescribe the regulation of the scope of practice for any profession. It would be open to any designated profession to define the scope of its practice as part of its code of professional conduct and ethics. Endangering the public by operating outside the scope of practice would be grounds for complaint against a registered practitioner. It is considered that any legal protection of scope of practice would inappropriately restrict the development of a profession as professional boundaries expand in line with the development and growth of professional skills and knowledge. Protecting scope of practice would also better constrain skill mixes and the most effective utilisation of scarce professional resources as auxiliary professions, take on tasks and activities that would previously have only been carried out by qualified professionals.

I understand Senator Ryan's point but if what he said happened in the future, it can be legislated for then — now is not the time to do it. The regulation of these professions will not have an adverse impact on the medical and other professions.