Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 951: To ask the Minister for Health the regulation he is going to bring in to regulate the cosmetic surgery industry in view of recent bad publicity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1250/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Products such as breast implants which are used by the cosmetic surgery industry are classified as medical devices. The Irish Medicines Board (IMB) is the competent authority responsible for the regulation of medical devices on the Irish market. The IMB is currently monitoring recent safety issues concerning Poly Implant Prosthesis (PIP) breast implants in liaison with their European colleagues.

Cosmetic surgery is also regulated through the regulation of cosmetic surgeons in accordance with the Medical Practitioners Act 2007. Under that Act, medical practitioners, including cosmetic surgeons, who practise medicine in Ireland must be registered with the Medical Council, which has responsibility for the registration of medical practitioners and the regulation of their activities. In addition, my Department is developing legislative proposals to amend the Medical Practitioners Act 2007 to make it mandatory for registration purposes for all medical practitioners engaged in clinical practice to have clinical indemnity cover in place. In a separate initiative, to further strengthen the regulatory environment overall, my Department is developing legislative proposals for the licensing of public and private health care providers and licensing of cosmetic surgery is being considered in this context.