Vol. 447 No. 11
100 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Health the process and procedure by which ministerial medical nominations are made by him to the Medical Council; if this procedure is provided for in legislation; if the full process and procedure was adhered to in the appointment made on 15 November 1994. [1347/95]
Limerick East): Ministerial appointments to the Medical Council are made under section 9 (1) of the Medical Practitioners Act, 1978. This provides for one person to be appointed by the Minister after consultation with body/bodies representing psychiatry, one person to be appointed by the Minister after consultation with body/bodies representing general medical practice, and four persons to be appointed by the Minister, at least three of whom shall not be registered general practitioners and shall represent the general public.
The Second Schedule of the Medical Practitioners Act, 1978, provides that in the event of a casual vacancy arising from among the members, other than those appointed by election, the appointing authority is to fill the vacancy. The appointment to which the Deputy refers was made on foot of a casual vacancy arising from among the ministerial appointees to the Council. The filling of this vacancy on 14 November was, therefore, at the discretion of the Minister. I am satisfied that this appointment complied fully with the procedures set out in the Medical Practitioners Act, 1978.
