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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Apr 2000

Vol. 517 No. 6

Written Answers. - Medical Council.

Bernard Allen

Question:

235 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the proposals, if any, he has to ensure that there is broader consumer representation on the Medical Council. [10627/00]

Bernard Allen

Question:

246 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the discussions, if any, he has had with the Medical Council on a situation where at least one case per year has occurred of individuals pretending to be doctors; and the steps, if any, he will take to deal with this issue. [10638/00]

Bernard Allen

Question:

253 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the proposals, if any, he has to introduce amendments to the Medical Practitioners Act, 1978 and 1993. [10645/00]

Bernard Allen

Question:

254 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps, if any, he will take to ensure that persons, other than those in the medical profession, are appointed to the Medical Council. [10646/00]

Bernard Allen

Question:

258 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the discussions, if any, he has had with the Medical Council regarding self-regulation in view of the infected blood saga and organ retention controversy. [10651/00]

Bernard Allen

Question:

259 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on self-regulation by the Medical Council in view of recent cases in the United Kingdom which caused severe damage to the principle of self-regulation and erosion of patient confidence in the medical profession there. [10652/00]

Bernard Allen

Question:

263 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has to investigate allegations against the Medical Council of racist attitudes in the processing of registration with the General Medical Council. [10656/00]

Bernard Allen

Question:

264 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has to meet the Medical Council to discuss reform of legislation which governs its operation. [10657/00]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 235, 246, 253, 254, 258, 259, 263 and 264 together.

I met with the president, the registrar and a number of members of the Medical Council on Tuesday 28 March. Among other issues, I discussed the need to bring in a new Medical Practitioners Act. I have asked the council to present its own proposals for reform in this area. I hope to be in a position to produce the heads of a Bill by the middle of the year. At the meeting with the council it was agreed that a liaison arrangement would be established with the council to deal with reform of the Act and other issues. The first meeting with the council under the arrangement took place on Monday, 10 April. Any amendment to the existing Act will examine the composition of the council to ensure that it equitably balances the interests of the general public and the profession.
The Medical Council and the broader profession are conscious of the privilege which the principle of self-regulation represents. It is also aware that the public needs to be assured that self-regulation is effective in protecting the public. I am confident that self-regulation will remain the underlying principle in any new legislation.
The operation of the Medical Practitioners Act is a matter for the council both in terms of the behaviour of doctors in the register as well as dealing with persons claiming to be medical practitioners.
I have not been presented with any evidence which suggests that the Medical Council deals with applications for registration other than in a fair and equitable fashion.
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