Vol. 488 No. 2
24 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the serious allegations of racism by non-EU doctors contained in a recent article in the Irish Medical Times; whether he will have investigations made into the claims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5758/98]
134 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the serious allegations of racism by non-EU doctors contained in a recent article in the Irish Medical Times; if he will have investigations made into these claims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5881/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 134 together.
I assume the Deputies are referring to the article which appeared in the Irish Medical Times of 30 January 1998. As the Deputies are aware this article was largely based on a “vox pop” survey carried out among non-EU doctors by the Irish Medical Times. I do not consider that this forms any sustainable basis for initiating an investigation.
I might add that my Department has emphasised to health service employers, most recently through the issuing of a Model Equal Opportunities Policy for the Health Service in September 1997 of the need to ensure that discrimination which impedes achievement of full equality of opportunity will not be tolerated.
