Vol. 541 No. 2
573 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he proposes to amend the Medi cal Practitioners Act, 1978, so that doctors from non-EU countries are afforded the same opportunities for promotion as their colleagues from EU countries. [22075/01]
575 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he proposes to respond to the call by a person (details supplied) that the Medical Practitioners Act, 1978, should be changed to bring it into line with modern day practices. [22077/01]
I propose to take Question Nos. 573 and 575 together.
A review of the Medical Practitioners Act and preparation of a new Act is currently under way. This review takes into account various developments in the medical field since 1978 and concerns raised by various interest groups. It has involved extensive consultations with interested parties. The position of doctors from non EU countries is being considered as part of this process.
I expect to be in a position to bring forward draft heads of a Bill later this year.
574 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he proposes to introduce legislation to remove an anomaly whereby doctors here from non-EU countries are not issued with a national training number and, under the Medical Practitioners Act, 1978, are classified under the special grade of temporary registrar. [22076/01]
594 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he proposes to investigate the anomalies in the non-EU doctor temporary registration scheme. [22096/01]
608 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make a statement on recent reports that doctors from non-EU countries working here are advising overseas colleagues not to come here to train or work but instead to consider the United Kingdom or the United States due to the restrictive nature of the temporary registration system; and the implications this has for the Irish health services. [22110/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 574, 594, and 608 together.
The processing of applications for the registration of doctors in Ireland is the function of the Medical Council. The Medical Council needs to be satisfied that the criteria for registration have been met before doctors are allowed to practise in Ireland.
