Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 227: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the fact that a person (details supplied) in County Mayo is still engaging in alternative medicine can be condoned; the reason there is no regulation on such practitioners to date in 2006; when such regulations will be in place in the interest of public safety; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4147/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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One of my key concerns is the protection of the public. The national regulation of complementary therapists working group has reported to the Department of Health and Children with recommendations on future measures for strengthening the regulatory environment for complementary therapists. I will carefully consider the group's recommendations, which will inform the next steps in this area. One of the challenges facing the consumer is making informed health care choices. To this end, the Department is in the final stages of preparing an information leaflet for the general public, offering guidance to people when deciding to see a complementary therapist, including questions to ask the practitioner before embarking on treatment. A key message is that patients with conditions which may require medical treatment should see their doctor first. I strongly advise members of the public to take this message seriously.