Liam Twomey (Fine Gael)

Many professions in this country, including the medical profession, pharmacists, nurses and so forth, have seen the status of their professional bodies change in the past two years. They are no longer self-regulated but are regulated by lay majorities. It is interesting that the legislation prepared by the Government on the creation of a legal ombudsman does not seek to make any change to the status of the councils for barristers and solicitors. Government Members are still happy for them to be self-regulated, yet they stand up in the House day after day criticising the legal profession and the Judiciary. The proposed legislation does not amend how these professions are regulated, even though the regulation of the medical profession has dramatically changed. Government Members must be happy about something and, therefore, they should be honest about what they say in the House.

I support Senator Donohoe's comments on the proposed Dublin transport authority. The debate on this huge organisation will be too short. If the HSE is for slow learners, as the Senator said, a wider debate is needed on this authority. This was discussed at length within the Department of Transport and a greater opportunity should be given to every Member to discuss the implications of the establishment of the authority because it will impact on the rest of the country and not only Dublin. The transport links will affect the rest of the country and every Member should have the opportunity to contribute in detail on the legislation.