Vol. 467 No. 2
42 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Justice her views on the fact that no criminal proceedings may be brought against a medical doctor who breaches the privacy to which his/her patients are entitled; the plans, if any, she has in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12887/96]
A breach of privacy on the part of a medical doctor is not, in itself, a criminal offence. Where such a breach does occur or is alleged to have occurred, it may of course be open to the applicant to pursue civil law remedies. This would be a matter for legal advice in each instance.
A patient may also have recourse to the regulatory body for the medical profession. The Medical Practitioners Act, 1978, lays down the disciplinary procedures governing the profession. These procedures are administered by the Fitness to Practise Committee established by Part V of the Act.
