Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 504: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the status of the Nurses and Midwives Bill; when she will publish same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30344/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The main objectives of the proposed new Nurses and Midwives Bill are to enhance the protection of the public in its dealings with the professions of nursing and midwifery and to ensure the integrity of these professions through the continued promotion of high standards of professional education, training and practice and professional conduct.

Late last year the Government approved the publication of the draft general scheme of the Bill as part of a public consultation process. This process resulted in a total of 213 submissions being made to the Department of Health and Children. The General Scheme is now being revised following the response to the consultation process and the revised Heads of the Bill are being prepared for submission to Government for its approval.

I consider this legislation to be essential to the modernisation of the nursing and midwifery professions and to the protection of the public. I intend to publish the revised Bill as soon as possible after the Government has approved the revised Heads.