Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

Deputies McManus and Twomey know well that the Medical Council has no role in respect of these kinds of issues. That is clearly stated in the legislation with regard to ministerial directives on general policy issues such as medical education and training, the numbers of people enrolled on courses and the length of time they spend in education.

As a result of this legislation, the Medical Council will receive public funding for the first time. The provisions do not exist in a vacuum because it is not unusual in legislation dealing with governance of the Central Bank, the Environmental Protection Agency and several other independent bodies that the Oireachtas provides for ministerial powers in respect of policy directives. Those who try to misrepresent that provision as ministerial interference in the operation of organisations could not be further from the truth. It is specifically stated in the legislation that Ministers cannot interfere in ethical, fitness to practise or other operational issues.

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