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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 15 Nov 1961

Vol. 192 No. 2

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Minister's Relations with I.M.A.

38.

Mr. Ryan

asked the Minister for Health if in view of the fact that the public interest would best be served by a settlement of the differences between himself and the Irish Medical Association he will make a renewed effort to satisfactorily resolve those differences, or submit them for consideration by a board of independent arbitrators.

I should remind the Deputy that it has been stated that the differences referred to in his questions are due to the fact that, like all my predecessors, I found it necessary to attach to certain posts in the local authority health services a condition that the holders thereof should furnish, on request, in certain circumstances, information in relation to patients who were or had been under their care. Because such information may be necessary in order to ensure that the Minister for Health for the time being will be able to fulfil his responsibilities to this House for all who avail themselves of the services provided under the Health Acts, the obligation to furnish it in the stated and restricted circumstances cannot be waived. Accordingly, the issue whether such an obligation should attach to the posts to which I have referred is not arbitrable. However, the phraseology in which the obligation is defined is not sacrosanct, and if the Irish Medical Association wishes to discuss it and puts me in a position to receive a deputation for that purpose, I shall be glad to do so.

The Minister accepts that a little goodwill goes a long way and that pride leads to nothing but the downfall of angels and of men. Accordingly, would the Minister not now swallow his pride, let bygones be bygones, and he himself make a fresh approach to the Irish Medical Association in order that this unfortunate dispute may be resolved? There is surely a via media and, if the Minister takes it, he will get credit.

The Deputy might perhaps address that homily to the officers of the Irish Medical Association.

Perhaps the Minister for External Affairs could bring in some of his native troops here and stop the civil war between the Minister and the Irish Medical Association.

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