Vol. 509 No. 6
366 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make a statement on recent media statements that, according to the Irish Accident and Emergency Association, even the biggest hospitals will not be able to maintain services if the new regulations introduced by the Medical Council and the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland are implemented; and the proposals he has to deal with this possible crisis. [21546/99]
There have been several media reports of a speculative nature concerning the possible effects of the Medical Council's regulations on temporary registration and the Royal College of Surgeons' proposals on training in accident and emergency medicine. The Forum on Medical Manpower is currently examining the full range of issues in this area. I hope that the forum will produce an interim report before the end of this year. The forum's proposals will take full account of all of these developments. I should point out that the Medical Council and the RCSI are independent bodies. Moreover I would hope that in introducing any new training requirements they could take account of the period of time required to effect a smooth transition from existing arrangements to new ones.
