Madam, - Cynics may consider Ms Harney's proposal to reconfigure the Medical Council as an example of the sort of arrogance that can beset politicians but I prefer to see it as ignorance of the ethos of the Council.
The Minister is seeking a Council that will serve the "public interest" and be "democratically accountable" - very laudable ambitions but unfortunately incompatible with what has always been the raison d'êtreof medical registration bodies, namely to protect the interests of the patient. I would go so far as to suggest that having the medical profession under de factopolitical control would be a disaster for the independence of the profession and the protection of the patient.
Furthermore, Ms Harney assures us, having assumed the right to appoint the majority of the council and the right to issue directives, that these powers will not be abused. I would remind her that any such assurances would apply only to her tenure of office while the powers will remain on the statute books for future ministers.
It is not unreasonable to surmise that a future minister, perhaps from a minor party in a coalition and representing less than the margin of error in a poll, could for ideological reasons use these powers to enforce an unacceptable ethical position.
Politicians should only be permitted to assume powers in cases of necessity and certainly powers should not readily be ceded to them.
- Yours, etc,
Dr M.G. SALTER, Kilmacanogue, Co Wicklow.