asked the Minister for Justice under what circumstances he must report to the General Medical Council the fact that a doctor has been convicted by the courts; how many such reports have been made during the past five years; whether similar reports are made about members of other professions or members of other bodies; what Acts impose this duty on him; and when he proposes to repeal the relevant sections.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Court Convictions of Doctors.
21.
Section 28 (1) of the Medical Practitioners Act, 1927, provides that where a registered medical practitioner is convicted in this country of treason, felony or misdemeanour or is convicted outside this country of a crime or offence which would be a felony or misdemeanour if committed in this country, the Medical Registration Council may erase his name from the Register of Medical Practitioners.
Similar provisions with regard to dentists and veterinary surgeons are contained in section 31 (1) of the Dentists Act, 1928, and section 34 (1) of the Veterinary Surgeons Act, 1931, as substituted by section 1 of the Veterinary Surgeons Act, 1960.
In order that the governing bodies concerned might be facilitated in the exercise of their statutory functions my Department accepted the duty many years ago of furnishing them with particulars of convictions of indictable offences and the more serious summary offences recorded against doctors, dentists and veterinary surgeons respectively.
The question of the repeal or amendment of the appropriate provisions in the enactments which I have mentioned is not a matter for me. So long as the provisions remain in force the powers given must be regarded as serving the public interest and I would not feel justified in discontinuing this long-standing practice without cogent reason.
The number of convictions against doctors reported to the Medical Registration Council during the last five years is nine.