Social Solidarity Minister Dolores Cristina has refuted the Malta Union of Professional Psychologists' claims that the board regulating the psychology profession was not constituted in line with the law.

In a statement Ms Cristina said: "The Regulatory Board of the Psychology Profession was set up in full accordance with the law, and of this there can be no question."

The Ministry for the Family and Social Solidarity consulted with the relevant parties and obtained their responses on the board's constitution, she said.

The union said last week that it had no confidence in the board and, after nearly a year of "futile" discussions with the Social Solidarity Minister, it felt it now had no option but to write to the European Federation of Psychology Associations to inform it of the local situation.

It said the chairman appointed by the minister did not have the necessary qualifications and had never worked as a psychologist.

However, the minister said that, as stipulated by the relevant legislation, both the MUPP and the Malta Psychologists Association received notification in October 2004 in which they were asked for their comments on the board members nominated by the government as well as for a nomination for a representative on behalf of both bodies.

"The MUPP replied in a letter dated October 22, 2004, putting forward the name of a representative on their part, but offered no comments on the proposed members, named specifically by the ministry in its communication. It was only at a later instance that the MUPP objected, not only to the ministry's nominees, but also to the representative on the board, chosen by the University of Malta.

"The Ministry feels that the chosen chairman is of full repute and was in fact fundamental in the development of psychology locally, being one of the founding members of the psychology department at University. All board members had the approval of the entire Cabinet," Ms Cristina said.

The minister added that she had already stated publicly and in private that she would meet the board to find a solution to the impasse.

However, Ms Cristina told The Sunday Times last week that removing any members from the board was not an option. According to the law, the board should be made up of four members - including a lawyer, the chairman, and two practising psychologists - who would be chosen by the minister after consultation with every association.

Another two members would be nominated by the associations registered with the board, and a psychologist nominated from among the permanent academic staff responsible for teaching psychology at the University of Malta.