An Oireachtas committee has decided to investigate the practices which are restricting entry to Irish medical schools.
The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health yesterday decided to invite the deans of medical schools and representatives of the Higher Education Authority and the Department of Health to appear before it as part of its investigation.
It follows the appearance before the committee yesterday of Dr Seán Barrett, an economist at Trinity College Dublin and a member of the Brennan Commission which reported earlier this year on the lack of financial management and controls in the health service.
Dr Barrett said many capable young people were being turned away from medical schools by very high points.
"It's a restrictive practice that is no longer in the national interest," Dr Barrett said.
The Brennan Commission recommended that all consultants appointed in future work exclusively in the public sector.
Dr Barrett said achieving this would be "much less of a problem" if entry to medical schools wasn't restricted.
The number of places for Irish medical students has been capped at 305 since 1980. Many other places are set aside for students from outside the European Union paying large fees.