asked the Minister for Health if he will take steps to stop people with inadequate training from taking up chiropody.

The answer is in the negative. In order to do what the Deputy mentions, it would be necessary to introduce legislation and I do not think that this would be justified in the absence of evidence that such a measure was essential to safeguard the public health.

A three-year chiropody course is recognised by the Medical Association. There are people who take a correspondence course and there may be a danger to the public if they become quacks. I think some form of control in the profession is advisable such as that exercised in relation to dentists and other people.

I am advised that a risk of this sort is not very serious. I do not think we should use a steam-hammer to crack a nut by introducing legislation to ensure that people who want to cut corns will have a diploma to do so.