Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

When it comes to this decision, the HSE must be satisfied that people are suitably qualified for the position they are being asked to take up. This is not a matter on which I have the authority to issue a ministerial order, or on which I would be comfortable doing so. It is a matter for the working group to determine whether it wishes to change what it deems to be acceptable in terms of qualifications. The group will comprise senior psychology managers in the HSE and human resources professionals. It will also include an independent chairperson external to the HSE and will consult with key stakeholders, including the Psychological Society of Ireland, educational bodies and staff representative bodies.

It is worth pointing out that the Psychological Society of Ireland, PSI, is a non-statutory organisation. There is no statutory requirement for psychologists to be registered with the PSI in order to practice in this country. Membership of that organisation is entirely at the discretion of individual psychologists, which is very different from the Medical Council or other similar bodies.