Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 1 Feb 1968

Vol. 232 No. 2

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Health Council.

192.

Dr. O'Connell

asked the Minister for Health when the National Health Council was established; its members; its function; and to what extent its recommendations are used by him and his Department.

Mr. S. Flanagan

The National Health Council was first established on 3rd March, 1948.

There are 32 members on the present council, who hold office until 31st March next. Half of these were appointed, as required by statute, on the nomination of bodies which are representative of the medical and ancillary professions and of persons concerned with the management of voluntary hospitals. With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I shall circulate in the Official Report a list of names of the present members and, where appropriate, the bodies which they represent.

The functions of the Council are set out in section 98 of the Health Act, 1947 as amended by section 41 of the Health Act, 1953.

The present council, and indeed previous councils, have, over the years, made recommendations on many health matters and on various aspects of the health services. While the Minister is not statutorily obliged to accept the recommendations of the council, the most careful consideration has always been given to the council's advice and in many instances their advice has been accepted and acted upon.

Following is the list:

NATIONAL HEALTH COUNCIL MEMBERS.

Mr. E.S. Ó Braoin, Chairman
Professor W. F. O'Dwyer, Vice- Chairman.	Nominated by the Irish Medical Association.
Professor Ivor Browne	Nominated by the Royal Medico-Psychological Association.
Dr. John Cooney
Dr. P.B. Cusack	Nominated by the Irish Medical Association.
Leslie, Bean de Barra
Mr. J. Doherty	Nominated by An Bord Altranais.
Dr. M.J. Dyar	Nominated by the Irish Medical Association.
Dr. Anthony Eustace	Nominated by the Society of Medical Officers of Health.
Dr. P.L. Heslin	Nominated by the Irish Dental Association.
Mrs. Lucy Hunt	Nominated by the Associated Hospitals' Sweepstakes Committee.
Mr. Thomas Kennedy
Miss M. McCabe	Nominated by the Irish Nurses Organisation.
Alderman M.J. McGuinness
Mr. James McGuire
Miss M. McInerney
Mr. M. Macken
Mr. T.J. McManus.
Mr. J.A. Mehigan.
Mr. Thomas K. O'Connor.
Mr. Thomas M. O'Grady.	Nominated by the Dental Board.
Mr. J. O'Hanrahan.
Mr. John O'Mahony
Professor Eoin O'Malley.	Nominated by the Medical Research Council.
Professor Denis J. O'Sullivan.
Mr. Laurence P. Pelly.	Nominated by Bord na Radharcmhastóirí.
Miss M.B. Phelan.	Nominated by An Bord Altranais.
Mr. R.J. Power.	Nominated by the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland.
Dr. Harold Quinlan.	Nominated by the Medical Registration Council.
Dr. J.P. Shanley.	Nominated by the Associated Hospitals' Sweepstakes Committee.
Senator Patrick J. Teehan.
Dr. O. Conor Ward.