Colm Burke (Fine Gael)

With regard to recent judicial decisions, it is important to realise that in each case there is a right of appeal on matters still pending. Before a decision was arrived at a number of days were spent in court and a lot of issues were dealt with. To be fair to the Judiciary, it adopted a balanced approach. It does not always get it right, but there is an appeals procedure in place.

I wish to raise an issue regarding the Irish Medical Council. I have received a number of emails from Irish graduates. I am talking about persons who graduated with a medical degree in this country, worked here as interns and junior doctors, left the country to work for a period and have returned to discover it takes up to two and a half months to re-register with the Irish Medical Council. Such a lengthy waiting period to process applications is absolutely outrageous when there is a shortage of doctors. One of the people who has contacted me was in New Zealand and within 24 hours of his arrival there he obtained clearance to start practising. I know criteria must be met before people can return to the Irish medical system, rightly so, but having to wait two and a half months to obtain clearance from the Irish Medical Council is outrageous. I ask the Leader to bring this matter to the Minister's attention. Action should be taken immediately by the Irish Medical Council to stop this from continuing. It is a priority issue because there is a shortage of doctors in the medical profession.