Vol. 463 No. 8
67 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Health the action, if any, he intends to take regarding the recent revelation regarding accusations of professional misconduct against doctors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7355/96]
Limerick East): As the Deputy will be aware, the Medical Council has statutory responsibility under the Medical Practitioners Act, 1978, which it exercises through its fitness to practise committee to inquire into the conduct of a registered medical practitioner on the grounds of alleged professional misconduct or on the grounds of unfitness to practise by reason by physical or mental disability.
Officials of my Department met representatives of the council to discuss the operation of the fitness to practise procedure to ensure that it operates as effectively as possible within the current legislative parameters which apply. I might add that work on proposals to amend the Medical Practitioners Act is at an advanced stage. I hope to be in a position to bring legislative proposals forward in this regard by the end of the year. Consideration is being given in this context to seeing what changes can be made to improve the current fitness to practise procedure.
