Regulation of the psychology profession in Ireland: context, history and personal reflections

Abstract

This paper offers the perspective of a member for many years of the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) who is a former Chair of its Board of Professional Conduct. First, the nature of professions is reviewed, and the general evolution of professional regulation is described. The movement towards regulation in Ireland is traced, based on PSI official publications; and the development of the Board and the PSI's Code of Professional Ethics is outlined. A section of personal recollections and views about the Board follows. Finally, there is a discussion of some of the challenges for PSI as statutory regulation of psychologists is introduced in Ireland.

Keywords:

• professional regulation
• licencing
• professional ethics
• Psychological Society of Ireland