asked the Minister for Health if he will state the several posts in the local authority medical service filled through the Local Appointments Commission over the period 1st August, 1954, to 31st March, 1957, in regard to which the duties as declared by the Minister for Health required the holder thereof (1) to give to the appropriate local authority all reasonable information respecting any person who was referred to him for examination and report by the local authority, and (2) to give any person (being a registered medical practitioner) authorised by the health authority, or the Minister, when requested, the clinical details respecting any person who has been under his care in hospital; if he will give in respect of each post the date upon which the declaration of duties was signed by the Minister for Health and whether the Irish Medical Association by notice published in their journal took any steps to deter medical practitioners from applying for posts to which these duties attached.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Local Authority Medical Service.
During the period 1st August, 1954 to 31st March, 1957 the Local Appointments Commissioners recommended candidates for appointment to a considerable number of medical posts, hospital and other, the duties, as prescribed by the Minister, in respect of which included duties which were substantially to the like effect as the duties mentioned in the question. These posts included District Medical Officers, Medical Officers of District Hospitals, Medical Officers of County Homes and Surgeon, Laois County Council, Surgeon, Meath County Council and Surgeon, Fermoy County Hospital.
In the same period the Commissioners recommended candidates for appointment to the following twelve posts, the duties, prescribed by the Minister, for which included the precise duties mentioned in the question. The date stated in each case is the date on which the Minister signed the declaration of duties.
Surgeon, Tipperary (N.R.) Co. Council, 27th April, 1955; Surgeon, Louth County Council, 18th May, 1955; Surgeon, Wexford County Council, 18th May, 1955; E.N.T. Specialist, Limerick County Council, 28th June, 1955; Ophthalmic Surgeon, Limerick County Council, 7th July, 1955; Paediatrician, Galway County Council, 27th September, 1955; E.N.T. Specialist, Galway County Council, 26th March, 1956; Paediatrician, Limerick County Council, 26th March, 1956; Obstetrician-Gynaecologist, Galway County Council, 27th March, 1956; Surgeon, Galway County Council, 27th March, 1956; Surgeon, Kerry County Council, 4th May, 1956; Surgeon, Tipperary (S.R.) County Council, 24th August, 1956.
During the period mentioned in the question, the Irish Medical Association did not publish in their journal any notice which would deter medical practitioners from applying for any of these posts.
The Minister has just told the House that from 1st August, 1954, to 31st March, 1957, the years of the Coalition regime, no opposition or warning notices were published in the Irish Medical Journal. No objection whatsoever was raised during that happy time, but they waited until 31st March——
The Deputy seems to be making a long speech.
Is the Minister aware that they waited until 31st March, 1957, until Fianna Fáil came back to power? The whole kernel of the dispute between the I.M.A. and the Department of Health has now been boiled down to the fact——
The Deputy is still making a speech.
Is the Minister aware that the whole dispute can now be boiled down to the fact——
To the dinner.
How can Deputy Mulcahy hear me if his cohorts keep interrupting?
Deputy Donnellan was suggesting that it all boiled down to the dinner, and who paid for the dinner, and how much was paid.
Deputy Dillon might allow Deputy O'Malley to put his question.
I am suggesting that he is making a long speech.
There are many other questions to be answered.
Thank you, Sir. Is the Minister aware that during the period of office of the Coalition Government, there was no objection whatsoever, no ban or prohibition put on applicants for the different posts which, when Fianna Fáil came back, the I.M.A. attempted to prohibit?
Will the Minister say if he has any particulars as to the number of vacancies existing in various institutions, where doctors and surgeons are required, for which the local authorities are able to get no applicants by reason of the general dissatisfaction on the part of the doctors with the conditions under which they are asked to accept employment?
In reply to the supplementary question put by Deputy Mulcahy, I have no reason to believe——
What about Deputy O'Malley's supplementary question? It was very long.
I am endeavouring to answer Deputy Mulcahy. First of all, with regard to the information which he asked me for, I should be glad to give it to him if he puts down a question when the Dáil reassembles, but, in reply to that portion of his supplementary which I can dispose of now, may I say this? I have no reason to believe that if this "Important Notice" did not appear, the Local Appointments Commissioners would not be snowed under by applicants for the posts, which are now available to them under the terms and conditions which existed until a short time ago.
The Minister ought to get in closer touch with these institutions by the time I put down the question.