Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 178: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the proposals she has to ensure that diabetes specialist doctors, diabetes nurses, diabetes chiropodists and diabetes dieticians are represented on the national diabetes working group (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11674/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The national diabetes working group was established in 2004 under the chairmanship of the chief medical officer of my Department. A broad range of health care professionals including medical and nursing diabetes specialists, public health and primary care specialists and management were nominated on to the working group by the health boards, the Department of Health and Children and the Diabetes Federation of Ireland.

In the course of its work the group has considered the report of the Diabetes Federation of Ireland, Securing the Future, and has met with representatives of the Irish Nutrition and Diabetic Institute, the Irish Diabetes Nurse Specialist Association and the Association of Optometrists of Ireland. It has also received submissions from the faculty of paediatrics and the Association of Clinical Biochemists in Ireland and drawn on international experience as reported in the scientific literature.

It is regretted that the Diabetes Federation of Ireland nominees have been unable to participate fully in the group, which has been open at all times to their participation. However, it is hoped that in progressing this important matter with the Health Service Executive all interested parties and professional groups will make their contributions in the interest of achieving the best possible outcome for diabetes patients.