I propose to take Questions Nos. 150 to 152, inclusive, and 155 and 158 together.
The Irish Medical Council is the authority responsible for the provision of registration and control of persons engaged in the practice of medicine under the Medical Practitioners Act, 1978. The council protects the interests of the public when dealing with registered medical practitioners. The principal roles of the council include assuring the quality of undergraduate education and postgraduate training, registering doctors, disciplinary procedures and providing guidance on professional standards and ethical conduct. It is the policy of the Medical Council that all non-consultant hospital doctors should be in posts which have been accredited for training purposes and both the council and the training bodies are actively addressing this requirement.
A meeting was held earlier this week involving officials of my Department, the key statutory agencies, the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland and representatives of the chief executive officers of the health boards/health authorities. Current issues in relation to service provision, training standards and quality assurance within the public hospital service were discussed. It was agreed to prepare proposals for addressing these issues which will be the subject of consideration at a further meeting of the parties concerned.
As the Deputy will be aware the Medical Practitioners Act, 1978 is currently under review. The review being carried out takes into consideration various developments in the medical field and the role of the Medical Council and other statutory bodies. The revised Medical Practitioners Act will take account of the concerns raised in the course of consultations, including issues concerning registration.