asked the Minister for Health if any reciprocal arrangements with EEC countries in respect of the recognition of Irish degrees for pharmacists and doctors have been made.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Degree Recognition.
13.
In so far as doctors are concerned 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 mutal recognition, have not done so with any of the other members States of the EEC.
No such arrangements exist for pharmacists.
Draft EEC directives aiming to provide the mutual recognition of degrees and diplomas of doctors and pharmacists throughout the Community have not yet been agreed.
There are cases where this has not happened.
That is not the fault of the Irish Government or the Department of Health.
Will the Minister take action to try to bring this matter to a head in the EEC Council as soon as possible?
A working party are engaged in trying to bring about a satisfactory conclusion. I certainly cannot push them to work any harder or any quicker.
You do not seem to be pushing very much in the EEC.