New legislation proposed by Minister for Health Mary Harney will give non-EU doctors the chance to have their qualifications recognised in Ireland.
The Medical Practitioners Bill, updating the regulatory regime for medical professionals, was introduced in the Dáil today and proposes ending the temporary registration of doctors with qualifications from outside the EU.
The requirement limits these doctors to practising in an approved training post for a minimum of two years before they are eligible for full registration in the General Register of Medical Practitioners.
Minister for Health Mary Harney
The new Bill also proposes a new register in which non-EU doctors without specialist qualifications will be eligible to apply for registration as either a trainee or for registration in the general division for those working in non-training, non-specialist posts.
"The system of temporary registration for doctors from outside the EU will be discontinued, in order to allow for those doctors who have given such enormous support to our health service to enjoy the same benefits of registration as their Irish and EU-qualified colleagues and peers," Ms Harney told TDs.
The Bill also proposes that the Medical Council be made up of a majority of non-medical members.
The Minister said regulation of doctors could not be the sole remit of doctors and the input of others would instil public confidence and bring to new ideas and perspectives to the Council.
"The Medical Council's functions under this legislation will have a major focus on setting and monitoring standards and quality. In my view, this new membership will only serve to enhance that role," she said.
The Bill also provides for a more modern process of dealing with complaints with a mediation process for less serious issues. Another change would see fitness-to-practise hearings being held in public when possible and stronger sanctions for those found guilty of misconduct.
The current regulations overseen by the Medical Council are widely regarded as outdated and there has been pressure to overhaul the system in light of the Neary scandal.
Around 250 patients were awarded compensation after an independent inquiry found Obstetrician Dr Michael Neary had performed a series of unnecessary hysterectomies in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital over a 25-year period.
Dr Neary had been subject to a peer review which found he had no case to answer in relation to nine cases examined.
The president of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland Dr John Murphy resigned last week after the Council subsequently found his role in investigating Dr Neary constituted professional misconduct.
Prof Walter Prendiville and Dr Bernard Stuart of the Coombe Women's Hospital were also found guilty.
Opposition parties have also expressed concern that new powers the Bill confers on the minister could lead to political interference in the work of doctors.
Speaking on RTE radio Ms Harney dismissed opposition concern about the new ministerial powers, which is due to be passed before the General Election.
She said it was "ridiculous" to suggest that stem cell research or abortions could be performed in Ireland by ministerial order.
"There is no power for the minister to interfere in what is called operational, ethical or fitness to practise issues," she said. The provisions for added ministerial power in the new Bill it to ensure that public policy is implemented, she added.
"[The Medical Council] is a public body established by law to regulate doctors in the public interest ... we can't have the council operating in a vacuum".