Geraldine Feeney (Fianna Fail)

I welcome these amendments. The reason for the Health and Social Care Professionals Bill 2004 was the protection of the public as well as to regulate the professions. The public is being protected by the provision of continuous professional development. At least the public will know these practitioners have bought in to continued professional development. This is essential to give that feel-good feeling to the general public.

I am delighted to hear the Minister of State refer to the ability of the registration boards to establish their own committees. Now that they have been given the tools, I hope they will take this further and perhaps develop competence assurance committees or consider peer review. I acknowledge that a clinical audit would be further down the road but they are only a short step away. It could be suggested to them when they have settled in. This will bring better protection for the public. I am delighted they will be allowed draft in expertise from without as this will introduce fresh air and let out the stale air. There will be no progress if they spend the whole time talking to themselves. I welcome the amendments.