Medical regulatory authorities are combining to voice their concerns that new EU rules will allow medical staff from abroad to work in Ireland without registration.
The authorities say a draft EU directive on "Recognition of Professional Qualifications" will allow doctors, dentists, nurses, opticians and pharmacists to practise in Ireland for 16 weeks at a time without registration and therefore without regulation.
They say the directive could put patients "at risk" as employers here would be unaware, for example, if a professional had been struck off in another country. These details are normally checked at time of registration. In addition, they are concerned it would not be possible to pursue an investigation against a professional, if that professional made an error while working here.
This morning, the Medical Council, An Bord Altranais, the Dental Council, Opticians Board and the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland will hold a joint press conference in Dublin to air their concerns.
They will also call on the Tánaiste, Ms Harney, to seek an amendment to the draft directive when she travels to Brussels later this week. The regulatory authorities fear the legislation may be finalised during her trip.
Under the proposals, medical professionals would only have to register after working for 16 weeks, by which time they could have moved to another EU country.
An Bord Altranais, the nursing board, has already expressed concern about the directive on its website.