Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 1:

In page 7, between lines 11 and 12, to insert the following:“(iii) by inserting the following paragraph after paragraph (g):

“(ga) physical therapist;”,”.

While there is much with which to agree in the legislation, we are putting forward these amendments - I will speak to all three of them if that is okay, so we do not have to be repetitive - because we seem to be out of kilter with about 100 other countries in using terminology like "physiotherapist" and "physical therapist". It seems to be the advocated position of the Society of Chartered Physiotherapists that this should be the case. They are interchangeable and one and the same in Northern Ireland and Britain, as well as in approximately 100 countries around the world where they are affiliated to the World Confederation of Physical Therapists.
We should bring ourselves into line with them, particularly given the proximity of Northern Ireland, so that people can have absolute confidence in the situation. The lack of ownership of this title gives confusion to society as regards what results can be expected from treatment by physical therapists, on the one hand, or physiotherapists, on the other. People are entitled to certainty in that regard, so we must ensure the appropriate standards are adhered to.
The Minister of State and her officials no doubt have been in contact with the Society of Chartered Physiotherapists in preparing this legislation. We think this is an ideal opportunity to bring back that into the kind of arrangement I have outlined, which is being followed in many other countries. It seems that under certain EU regulations and obligations we ought to define these terminologies as one and the same, as is the case in other member states.
I can appreciate that other people who are now beginning to use that title - heretofore there was a lack of ownership or definition - may have an issue with this proposal. Therefore, transitional arrangements may need to be put in place for these people to bring themselves up to the appropriate standards. They should have an opportunity to do that so they can continue their livelihoods. We should come up with an appropriate term for those who do not have the same qualifications, earned after three or four-year third level programmes, for what in all other countries are known as physiotherapists and physical therapists. Such qualifications would give people the confidence to which they are entitled.
This is the industry standard in many other countries, so there is no reason we should not move to that standard as well.Grandfathering arrangements with appropriate training may be required to cater for people who are currently using that title but who wish to be under the internationally required standard to be consistent with using it elsewhere. I am sure we can cross that bridge when we come to it, if the Minister of State were to agree to the amendments.