asked the Minister for Health the guidelines-regulations, if any, governing public practice by allergists in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
240.
Written Answers. - Practice by Allergists.
239.
asked the Minister for Health the system of registration of allergists, if any, in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
241.
asked the Minister for Health the protection, if any, which is available to citizens here to provide against possible abuse by allergists practising in Ireland without proper qualifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
242.
asked the Minister for Health if he is concerned at the recent arrival in this country of allergists from Great Britain whose activities have caused considerable disquiet in professional medical circles there; the action he intends to take to protect vulnerable people in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
243.
asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the activities in Ireland of an allergist (details supplied) about whom qualified medical practitioners have expressed grave disquiet; the action, if any, he intends to take; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 239 to 243, inclusive, together.
I am not aware of the activities of the allergist to whom the Deputy referred or of any grave disquiet expressed by the medical profession about such activities. Treatment for allergies in the public health service in Ireland is provided by registered general practitioners and there is no separate grade of non-medically qualified allergists employed in the public health service.
All general practitioners employed in the health service must be registered in the register of medical practitioners maintained by the Medical Council as required by the provisions of the Medical Practitioners Act, 1978. It is an offence for a person to falsely represent himself to be a registered medical practitioner when he is not so registered and a person convicted of falsely representing himself as a registered medical practitioner is liable to a fine and/or imprisonment under the provisions of the Act.
The Deputy may be aware that S.I. No. 18 of 1987, Medical Preparations (Control of Sale) Regulations, 1987, provides a comprehensive system of control of medical preparations which may only be sold or supplied against a prescription issued by a registered medical practitioner or registered dentist.
In addition to the medical profession nurses, dentists, opticians and pharmacists employed in the public health service are required to be registered with the appropriate registration bodies.
If the Deputy is aware of any breaches of Irish law or of matters of grave concern I would be obliged if he would furnish specific details of such incidents to me or my Department and I will have the matters fully examined by the appropriate authorities.