Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As outlined on Second Stage, one of the most time-sensitive measures in the Bill is the restoration of eligibility for UK medical degree holders to access internship training posts in Ireland. Following the UK leaving the EU, the Medical Practitioners Act 2007 prevents holders of UK medical degrees from internship registration. I am keen to address this in time for the next group of interns coming in July, I believe. The registration provisions in the Medical Practitioners Act 2007 are substantively revised by the Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Act 2020. However, prior to its commencement, certain errors were discovered in that legislation, which are corrected in this Bill. Eligibility for medical interns will be restored in the wider suite of registration provisions but certain steps must be completed before the 2020 Act can be fully commenced. In view of the tight timeframe for the incoming cohort of interns, a new section is being introduced to this Bill specifically to provide for this. The new section of the Bill amends section 49 of the Medical Practitioners Act 2007 and will be commenced on enactment.