Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the constructive manner in which the Bill has passed through both the Dáil and Seanad. I thank colleagues for their assistance. I also thank the Chairs in both Houses for facilitating its speedy progress. The legislation is really important as it will allow those graduating as doctors in the UK to come to the HSE for their internships. They will be delighted to be able to do that. I thank the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, officials in CORU and the Medical Council and officials in my Department, some of whom are here today. Many people have put a lot of work into the Bill. It is quite technical miscellaneous legislation but it is really important for the various reasons we have discussed. We will now be able to bring in interns from the UK. In addition, we will able to regulate home care and social care professionals, which is another really important step. I thank colleagues in the Seanad, the Acting Chairperson and all the officials who have worked to get the Bill through as quickly as it has done.