The motion is that this Bill be now read a Second Time.
PUBLIC BUSINESS. - MEDICAL BILL, 1926—SECOND STAGE.
CATHAOIRLEACH
I should like to say that the medical profession will, I believe, welcome this Bill, not so much for what it contains as the possibilities it opens up. I hope and trust that the Government may succeed in carrying on the negotiations, that they will secure what they require, and that, at the same time, the medical schools in Ireland shall not be in any way jeopardised. It is well known that the General Medical Council have raised the standard of medical education in the United Kingdom, and Irishmen have very much contributed to that standard. Within the last few years two Irishmen have introduced changes for the better, one in the branch of Public Health and another in midwifery. These changes have been accepted by the General Medical Council, and they are now in operation for the benefit of the medical schools in the United Kingdom. Seeing that Irishmen have largely contributed to the high standard, it would be rather a pity now if anything should occur. This Bill, although it is simply prolonging the status quo, gives the Government the necessary time to make proper and sufficient arrangements. I hope and trust it will pass here at the earliest possible moment.
I should like to know if the House could be informed as to what the position is with regard to the setting up of a new Medical Register. One hears rumours about negotiations going on, and I think it is due to the Oireachtas that it should know the position of the Government in the matter. Does the Government stand by its originally expressed policy of setting up a Medical Register, or, on the contrary, has it departed from that, and if so, to what extent? I do not ask for any statement that might prejudice the smooth course of any negotiations now going on. In discussing this Bill the House is entitled to have some indication as to the position in respect of this question, and as to the extent to which the negotiations referred to by Senator Sir Edward Bigger have progressed.
I am not satisfied that the intervention of Senator O'Farrell in this matter, or some of the statements published in the Press, are likely to conduce towards a more favourable consideration of a matter such as this. The Government has not receded a single inch from the position it took up, and further than that I am not going to say anything in the matter.
I should like to protest against what the President has said. These negotiations are being constantly carried on in the dark without people being informed as to what is likely to happen as a result of them, or what they have been let in for. They are simply told the result, and are given an ultimatum. I do not like that method, and I protest against it, although that is useless, as Ministers think themselves omnipotent and the cleverest people in the world, and that all they have to do is to make an arrangement and say that is the best possible.
I hope that whatever happens in the conference between our Government and the General Medical Council, nothing will occur to jeopardise the happy fraternal feelings at present existing throughout these islands. There is a very brotherly feeling amongst the members of the great medical profession. Recently in England Irishmen competed for valuable medical appointments that in some cases were worth a four-figure sum, and they got the preference. Recently there were vacancies in the British Government service, and Corkmen got the appointments in every case.
In answer to Senator Colonel Moore, I would like if persons like himself, who are suffering from nerves, would be more specific in making any charges they have got to make. Mere wild statements on public platforms and elsewhere alarm nobody but nervous people like the gallant Senator. With regard to this matter, a rather favourable condition of affairs exists in which people have come together with a view to finding a satisfactory solution. A solution, no matter how satisfactory, will not please all parties and the Government has no intention of taking from people who are dissatisfied with it an opportunity of expounding their objections when the proposals are being put before the Oireachtas. I can only say in conclusion that if the effect of these objections is no more dangerous than in the past I will be perfectly satisfied with the result.
Is it the position of the President that nobody in this House has a right to inquire what the Government is doing in matters that affect the country? I take it from his replies to my couple of questions that he resents any question being asked and that the idea is to present us, as we have been presented in other cases in the past, with an accomplished fact, and then to ask: "Why did you not put up an alternative?" It seems to me that he resents an inquiry from any member of the House in respect of matters which concern the whole community.
The resentment, if I showed any, was in reference to the manner and the style in which the question was put. The Senator, if I recollect aright, put his questions in this way: "What is the position of affairs? Are there negotiations going on? Have the Government given way?" That was not what we would call a complimentary question. If the Senator elects to put a question in that way he must be satisfied with the answer he gets.
If the President puts it that way, he should be the last person to complain of the form of my question.
Question—"That the Bill be read a Second Time"—put and agreed to.
The Seanad went into Committee.