Joe O'Toole (Independent)

Senator Henry recently raised the question of the difficulties for non-EU qualified doctors of gaining recognition, acceptance and entrance to practice in this country. She particularly raised issues with regard to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. There is also the issue of how the Medical Council deals with this issue. It has been represented to me that the process is long, expensive and highly bureaucratic, and that it demands academic standards that would not be demanded of Irish qualified and trained doctors.

I raise this issue because it is one which the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children could deal with on our behalf. There is a shortage of doctors in Ireland, an issue to which the Tánaiste referred in the House. The Medical Council is established by statute. Therefore, it is important we would have some indication of how it conducts its business. This issue arises with other professions. There is a similar difficulty in education with regard to the teastas cáilíochta sa Ghaoluinn, the recognition examination that non-Irish trained or qualified teachers must go through. It may be that there is a connection between all these issues.

However, the difficulty experienced by non-EU qualified doctors in gaining recognition and entry to practice in Ireland is extraordinary. In the new session, we would benefit from a discussion with the Tánaiste, which she would find helpful in light of the fact she has referred on a number of occasions to the shortage of doctors and the difficulty of getting trained doctors.