Vol. 517 No. 4
65 Mr. Higgins (Mayo): asked the Minister for Health and Children the last occasion on which a meeting took place with the Medical Council about reform of the Medical Practitioners Acts, 1978 and 1993; the plans, if any, he has to meet with the council and discuss its proposed reforms to the Act; and when he intends to introduce reforming legislation. [9769/00]
215 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children the last occasion on which a meeting took place with the Medical Council about reform of the Medical Practitioners Acts, 1978 and 1993; the plans, if any, he has to meet with the council and discuss its proposed reforms to the Act; and when he intends to introduce reforming legislation. [10209/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 65 and 215 together.
I met the president, the registrar and a number of members of the Medical Council on Tuesday 28 March. Among other issues, I discussed the need to bring in a new Medical Practitioners Act. I have asked the council to present its own proposals for reform in this area. I hope to be in a position to produce the heads of a Bill by the middle of the year. At the meeting with the council it was agreed that a liaison arrangement would be established with the council to deal with reform of the Act and other issues. The first meeting with the council under the arrangement will take place on Monday next.
