I move the Second Reading of the Medical Bill, 1926. The object of this Bill is to continue in operation until the 21st August of this year the Medical Act of 1925, with powers to the Executive Council by order to continue it from month to month to a date not later than the 21st February, if they so desire. Deputies are familiar with the conditions which made it necessary originally to introduce the Act of 1925. We were under the impression that the then existing arrangement under the Medical Acts would have been continued in force in the Saorstát by the combined operation of the Constitution and the Adaptation of Enactments Act, but a condition arose on the other side which made it clear to us that we could not count on the continuation of the status quo in Ireland after the signing of the Treaty, and accordingly, if the rights of students qualifying in Irish medical schools were not to be seriously jeopardised, it was necessary to introduce legislation. There were a great many angles from which the subject might be approached, a great many parties interested, and it was a matter which required a good deal of deliberation and consideration before a satisfactory result might be arrived at. Accordingly, it was considered necessary to introduce a temporary Bill for preserving the status quo while the whole question was being inquired into. Since then negotiations have been proceeding between the interested parties. These parties are numerous. There is the medical profession as a whole in Ireland, the medical schools, the General Medical Council, and the two Governments concerned, and the interests were in some cases divergent. Accordingly, a good deal of negotiation has taken place and is taking place with the object of reconciling the various differences. While at the present stage I am not in a position to say that the matter is finally settled, I would not be unduly optimistic in stating that I think we have now hit upon a line that will probably preserve the existing rights of students qualifying in Ireland, without in any way derogating from the status of this country under the Treaty, and that was our main difficulty. However, negotiations, as I say, are still proceeding, and it is necessary, if the whole of the medical profession in this country is not to become chaotic, that this Act should be continued. Realising that it was only intended to remain in force until the 21st of August, it may be necessary to continue the Act, particularly as the General Medical Council meets only in May and in November, and action taken in May requires to be ratified in November. If this arrangement which we hope to arrive at will not be ratified until November it will take from then to the 21st February to give legislative effect to it. For that reason I press for the passing of this Bill.
DAIL IN COMMITTEE. - MEDICAL BILL, 1926—SECOND STAGE.
I support the Second Reading of this measure. There does not seem to be any necessity for a prolonged discussion, because the measure is a temporary one and is only meant to bridge over a certain period that may elapse between 21st February next and the time when a permanent Bill with regard to medical registration would be introduced here. The medical profession is extremely anxious that this permanent Bill should be brought in at as early a date as possible in order to do away with the uncertainty that exists at the present time, which uncertainty leads to some extent to the depletion of our medical schools. It was hoped that this measure would have been passed before the Christmas Recess, but that was found impossible. There is very little time between this and the 21st February, and a certain amount of anxiety exists in the minds of the students who are in their final year lest anything should happen that would prevent this Bill from being passed in time to enable them to get registered. I, therefore, urge upon the Minister that he should endeavour to get the Bill through at the very earliest possible time. There should be nothing whatsoever contentious in it. It is only, as I say, to bridge over the time until a permanent Act will be passed, an Act which I hope will be satisfactory to all parties concerned. I have pleasure, therefore, in supporting the Second Reading of the Bill.
I wonder would the Minister endeavour to get through all the Stages of the Bill next Wednesday? There is a great feeling of anxiety that something might happen. This Bill has to pass through the Seanad as well, and there is a desire to have it enacted as early as possible. I would urge upon the Minister to get through the remaining Stages at the earliest moment.
It would not be possible for the Minister to meet that point to the satisfaction of the Deputy. The Government will, however, facilitate the passing of this Bill in every possible way. There need be no doubt as to the undertakings that we have given. We are not in any way limiting the views of those who do not agree even with the proposals that we are at present considering; our undertakings do not limit them in expressing themselves very freely on these proposals when they come along. We have undertaken—and we did so with the tacit consent of all Parties—that there should not be a period——
A hiatus.
Yes, that is the term. As I have said, we have undertaken that there should not be any hiatus in this matter. Even those who might not agree with the ultimate decision will not, I think, object to this measure passing; they can register whatever objections they have got when the ultimate measure is brought forward.
Will the President agree to suspend Standing Orders in order to take the final stages?
If necessary.
I now give notice to move the suspension of Standing Orders to take the remaining stages of this Bill next Wednesday.