asked the Minister for Health if he will state in relation to Irish doctors in EEC countries (a) whether Irish medical degrees and diplomas are recognised and (b) if the Irish standard of training is acceptable.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EEC Medical Qualification Requirements.
67.
Irish degrees and diplomas are recognised for the purpose of medical registration in the United Kingdom. The Medical Registration Council, who can initiate the making of reciprocal arrangements with other states for mutual recognition, have not done so with any of the other member states of the EEC.
It is an aim of the Treaty of Rome to have mutual recognition of medical qualifications throughout the Community. Discussions on a draft general directive aimed at this are proceeding with the Commission and the other member states. These are at an early stage and the eventual form of the directive cannot be anticipated, so that I cannot say what, if any, changes it might require in the training of doctors in Ireland. I am confident, however, that our general level of qualification will be found acceptable.
Can the Minister say if there is much difference in the standard of training in any of the EEC countries?
I am afraid I cannot give information on that. Over quite a long period the Community of the Six tried to get harmonisation in regard to qualifications. They failed to get agreement. I am informed that an effort is to be made on the 12th July between the nine member states to get agreement on qualifications. So far as I am aware there is no optimism that much will happen in a very short time.
68.
asked the Minister for Health if he will state in relation to Irish pharmacists in EEC countries (a) whether their degrees, diplomas and certificates are acceptable, and (b) whether the Irish standard of training is up to European requirements.
The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland have not up to the present entered into reciprocal arrangements with other EEC countries for the mutual recognition of qualifications. A draft directive of the EEC for the mutual recognition of pharmaceutical qualifications, similar to that for the medical practitioners, is at present being considered. What I said as respects our medical qualifications in reply to the last question applies similarly to the draft directive on pharmacists.