Vol. 517 No. 6
228 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps he proposes to take to head off the manpower crisis faced by hospitals this year; if he intends to amend the Medical Practitioners Act, 1978 and 1993, in a bid to deal with the crisis; and the plans he has to grant an extension of registration to non-EU non-consultant hospital doctors from five to seven years. [10436/00]
I have already indicated to the House that, following a recent meeting with the Medical Council, a liaison mechanism has been established between the council and my Department to examine the possible manpower implications of decisions taken by the council. I have also indicated to the council that the process of producing a new Medical Practitioners Act is under way. There is no indication that any urgent amendment of the Act, including an extension of the period of temporary registration of non-EU doctors, is necessary. The objective of all the parties represented on the Medical Manpower Forum is to reduce Ireland's dependence on overseas doctors.
