Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 254: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the qualifications of medical doctors who received their credentials from a university (details supplied) are recognised here as sufficient to practise medicine here; if these qualifications are not recognised as such, the framework in which such persons may become qualified to practise medicine here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34407/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Medical Council is the independent authority charged with primary responsibility for the registration and regulation of medical practitioners in the State. The function of the Medical Council is to protect the public through implementing appropriate controls on the medical profession. Doctors practising medicine in Ireland should be registered with the Medical Council.

The Medical Council has informed me that degrees awarded by the university in question are acceptable for the purpose of temporary registration. In addition to the primary degree, applicants for temporary registration must have completed internship training of at least one year in hospital based specialties, hold full registration with an overseas registration authority and be in good standing with that authority. All applicants for temporary registration must also pass an English language test. Applicants must also pass temporary registration assessment scheme or satisfy the requirements for exemption from TRAS. The TRAS is structured to assess the candidate's knowledge and clinical judgement in medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, general practice and psychiatry. The assessment is also designed to ensure that a candidate has good communication skills and the ability to make accurate clinical judgments.