Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 95: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the licensing of homoeopaths prior to opening up to the public and ensuring a homoeopath refers a patient on for medical treatment; the way in which she intends to ensure a homoeopath makes it clear if they have certification from the Irish Medicines Board; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11489/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I am conscious that complementary therapy, including homeopathy, is of increasing interest to the public and that more people are now attending complementary therapists. A key concern of mine is protection of the public and a national working group on the regulation of complementary therapists has already reported to the Department of Health and Children with recommendations on future measures for strengthening the regulatory environment for complementary therapists. I will publish the group's report shortly.

One of the challenges facing the consumer is making informed health care choices. To this end, the Department of Health and Children is launching an information leaflet for the general public offering guidance when choosing to see a complementary therapist, including questions to ask the practitioner before embarking on a treatment. A key message is that patients with conditions which may require medical treatment should see their doctor first and I would strongly advise members of the public to take this message very seriously.

The Irish Medicines Board has no function in regard to the certification of practitioners of homeopathic medicine. The responsibility of the board relates only to the controls that apply to homeopathic medicinal products, which are required to have certificates of registration granted by the board before being placed on the market.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 96: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has, or intends to investigate the relationship between the RTE Guide, RTE health multimedia, the RTE health site and its advocacy of alternative remedies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11490/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I have not investigated the matter raised by the Deputy nor do I propose to do so. However, if the Deputy has any specific concerns she may wish to write to me in this regard.