Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 188: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that changed regulations by the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Britain in relation to registration of psychiatrists has resulted in such changed circumstances as would breach the regional expectations for qualification and employment of a person (details supplied) from abroad working in the Irish system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27218/06]

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 189: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will ensure that the implementation of regulations, changes to same, and their implementation by health boards or the appropriate section of the Health Service Executive, will not deprive those who have been taken in to training schemes as consultant psychiatrists within the Irish health system or will not have the circumstances for their qualification arbitrarily changed in such a way as to endanger their employment, temporary or permanent; if she will further ensure that those affected by such changes will be treated on a basis of equality, with equal opportunities for meeting such additional conditions being available to European and non-European applicants, and those at all stages of the qualification process. [27219/06]

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 190: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will ensure that changes in required qualification by such bodies as the Royal College of Psychiatrists in London will not be implemented in such a way as to undermine the protection afforded to existing employees in Irish hospitals under the protection of the Fixed Term Employees Act 2002. [27220/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Irish Psychiatric Training Committee oversees postgraduate training in psychiatry and advises the Medical Council as to the suitability of trainees for the specialist register. It is working closely with the Royal College of Psychiatrists in the UK and is fully appraised of relevant developments there.

A working group was set up some months ago, by the Committee, to review training in Ireland and the Postgraduate Medical and Dental Board has provided funding to the Committee to engage a project director to review and implement new processes of training in the light of the changes in the UK.

I understand that the Medical Council will be discussing the issue further with the Irish Psychiatric Training Committee and that the Council's Registration Committee, at its next meeting, will consider any potential impact on applications for entry to the register of medical specialists.

The National Hospitals Office/Comhairle na nOspidéal has set down the qualifications, training and experience necessary to become a consultant psychiatrist in Ireland. The Irish Psychiatric Training Committee will continue to provide the training necessary to fulfil those requirements.