Vol. 522 No. 3
146 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans he has to extend the period for temporary registered medical practitioners from outside the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18668/00]
I would like to state first that the Medical Council is an autonomous statutory body established by the Medical Practitioners Act, 1978. The Medical Council is the statutory body established to provide for the registration and control of persons engaged in the practice of medicine under the Medical Practitioners Act, 1978.
The Medical Council decided some years ago to introduce an examination for doctors outside the European Union seeking temporary registration in Ireland. Overseas doctors, EU and non-EU, account for about a third of non-consultant hospital doctor posts. These doctors have played and, I am sure, will continue to play a very important role in providing a quality service in our hospitals. This assessment procedure was introduced by the Medical Council to ensure that all medical trainees, both EU and non-EU nationals, are of the highest standard.
The matter of revising the Medical Practitioners Act, 1978, is under active consideration. I hope to be in a position to bring forward proposals this year. In addition, I intend to bring forward legislation this week which will enable me to extend the period of temporary registration from the present five years to seven years in an effort to alleviate recruitment difficulties which hospitals are encountering from 1 July 2000. I will be looking for the co-operation of the House in this matter.
