John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The potential exists for a very serious crisis in accident and emergency departments. I spoke last night to some consultants who work in Waterford Regional Hospital. They told me that the HSE and the Department of Health are sending a clear message to Indian doctors that they are sufficiently qualified to provide essential services in a time of crisis, but are not wanted in our hospitals in the long term.

I would like to put to the Minister two questions which are of importance to the people. We were happy to bring Indian doctors to work in Ireland and help us to bridge the gaps in our services. Were they adequately qualified to do the job? If they were, why are they not permitted to join the Medical Council's training register, as doctors from all other countries are allowed to do? I am concerned about the implications of giving doctors from Pakistan, Britain, France and all other countries considerably different treatment from Indian doctors. It has the potential to give rise to a crisis. I will conclude by informing the House that the consultants in Waterford Regional Hospital are sending a petition on this issue to the Indian Embassy today because they fear it could lead to a crisis.

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