Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

They must have specialist qualifications. Issues surrounding cosmetic surgery cannot be dealt with in their entirety in this legislation. It will be dealt with by a licensing system. I have established a patient safety commission to examine the accreditation and the licensing of health facilities, particularly hospitals. Anyone can own and run a hospital in this State but doctors must be registered to practise in one. I am satisfied that they do have to be specialists.

Section 50 transposes an EU directive but a specialist would have to be qualified in a EU member state.