Colm Burke (Fine Gael)
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On the central applications issue, I fully accept that the smaller hospitals make the decisions but the CVs are sent to them before they can make a choice about where to recruit. They are confined in what they can do in this area. I outlined the example of Cavan, which has three vacancies for registrars. The smaller hospitals are not necessarily being given a choice in the CVs that are sent to them and standards have slipped as a result. Where consultants are on one and two, there is significant pressure on everyone. The system is not working for the smaller hospitals.

I accept what the witnesses have to say in regard to legislation on the supervised division but I ask for clarity on the Medical Council's attitude towards individuals who want to transfer from the supervised division into the general division. Will it be able to accommodate such individuals? Previously when people applied to go into the general division they had to undergo a slow procedure with the Medical Council. Have any arrangements been made with the council on that issue?