Geraldine Feeney (Fianna Fail)

On the point made by Senator Browne, I am such a person in so far as I was not a Senator when I was appointed to the Medical Council in 1999. I was elected to the Seanad in 2002. My position was unique in that I was on the fitness to practise inquiry hearing into Dr. Michael Neary. This was an ongoing inquiry which had been running for 18 months. For practical and financial reasons and to accommodate both Dr. Neary and the patients involved, it was decided that I would remain on the council until the end of that inquiry. I agree with the Minister that there were times when as a Member of the Oireachtas I felt a little unwelcome in Lynn House, particularly during discussion of the Medical Practitioners Bill and I would have hand, act and part in the passing of that legislation. No one person in particular made me feel uncomfortable but it was a communal effort that made me feel a little uncomfortable at times.

To refer to Senator Browne's point, I am glad neither this legislation nor the Medical Practitioners Bill prohibits members of a local authority from being members. People from a community who have been elected to a local council have something to offer. From my own experience I do not believe it would work out successfully to have a Member of the Oireachtas as a member. I was perceived as being very close to the then Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin and whether that was a right or a wrong perception, I felt a little uncomfortable at times as a result.