May I ask a question?
Dentists (Amendment) Bill, 1983: Committee and Final Stages.
Question proposed: "That section 1 stand part of the Bill".
Yes, on section 1.
That is on the dental board section. The Minister said that it is not part of the dental board's job to appeal or negotiate or talk about wages for people employed by dentists. I mentioned that it is not part of their statutory duty, but my understanding is that people go to them as it is the only place they can go to appeal. Could the Minister give an indication of where these people can go to appeal if they cannot appeal to the dental board? Has he anything in mind about giving the dental board a function in this matter?
The Deputy indicated specific numbers such as 500 and 250. Like any group in society there is nothing to prevent them from joining a recognised trade union. With the best will in the world I would say that to put it to a council who are there to represent broadly the whole area of dental care would not be the best thing to do. I would not see it as the appropriate place for staff relations. As I see it, if they have grievances they should take the matter up, through a union, with the Irish Dental Association whom I would see as the body representing dentists. I do not see as a function of the new dental council the matter of dealing with staff grievances which I would regard as outside that realm. I see it purely in the area of dental care.
The Chair does not think that a discussion in detail or more than a passing reference to the new Bill would be in order at this stage.
We are discussing a dental board and a situation which exists, and the Minister says these people should join a trade union. The point is that they cannot join a trade union. People in health boards can, but individuals working for individual dentists cannot. They do dental work, in other words they are part of the dental scheme. They help the dentist to do various parts of his dental work. They are not receptionists, they are para-medics. When one is working for an individual in that way and one is dissatisfied, then one either gets out or tries to appeal to somebody if there is any area in which one can appeal. Has the Minister anything like that in mind in relation to the new council? This board have been extended for two years. The Minister has the best intentions in the world of bringing in the new Bill, but it may well happen for one reason or another that it would not be through next year or the year after; the board may be there for two years and we may have to extend it for another two years after that. What is to happen in the meantime? Has the Minister any ideas as to what can be done with regard to the para-medics or dental assistants?
The Chair must rule out any discussion on the new Bill which is not before the House and has not yet been circulated. We must confine our discussion to the Dental Board as at present constituted.
I want to assure the House that there will be no delay in bringing this Bill before the House. It is important legislation. I would like to assure the Deputy that, while the two years might give an indication of some kind of stalling, that certainly is not the case.
Question put and agreed to.
Section 2 agreed to.
Title agreed to.
Bill reported without amendment and passed.