asked the Minister for Health if he will indicate the nature of any representations made to his Department by the Irish Medical Association in connection with the health Act, 1953.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Health Act, 1953: Representations from I.M.A.
A considerable number of representations from the Irish Medical Association have been received in my Department over the past few years in connection with various aspects of the Health Act, 1953. The number and diversity of these representations is such that it would not be possible adequately to indicate their nature within the scope of the reply to a parliamentary question. If, however, the Deputy desires information on any specific aspect of the matter, I shall be glad to endeavour to supply it on hearing from him.
Surely the Minister could say, when I ask the nature of representations made by the Irish Medical Association, whether these representations were made in their professional capacity or in their political capacity? Has the Minister's attention been drawn to the article in the organ of the Irish Medical Association issued this month entitled "Ten Fruitful Years" in which this body boasts that it brought down the Government in 1954? A stop should be put to this carry-on by this body.
Of course, the Deputy will realise that I do not deal with the organisation as a political organisation. It professes to be a professional organisation and I take its professions in that regard for what they are worth. I think, however, that their journal rather exaggerates when it says that the association brought down the Government in 1954.
Would the Minister bring to the attention of the Irish Medical Association, when it states that it was the cause of bringing down the Government in 1954, due to the Health Act of 1953, that the Minister's predecessor enacted every piece of legislation which the Minister brought in?
I prefer to confine my discussions with the Irish Medical Association to the professional matters in which it purports to be interested.
Would the Minister agree that it is time that this body got down to their specific work, and not turn the organisation into a further political body?
The Deputy is running true to Fianna Fáil form—attack all professional organisations.