Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 118: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17435/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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Under the Medical Practitioners Act 2007, the Medical Council is the statutory body charged with responsibility for the registration and regulation of medical practitioners in the State. The Minister for Health and Children has no role in matters relating to the ethics of registered medical practitioners or in matters relating to complaints concerning registered medical practitioners. Section 9 of the Act specifically precludes the Minister from giving any policy directions to the Council in relation to such matters.

The Medical Council has indicated that its current guidelines provide that if a registered medical practitioner has a conscientious objection to a course of action, this should be explained to the patient and the names of other doctors made available. The Medical Council has advised that it cannot make any comment regarding inquiries into individual registered medical practitioners.