Non-national doctors are being forced to leave Ireland because of the strict enforcement of regulations concerning work visas, according to the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO). Mr Conal Devine, industrial relations director with the IMO, warned of an impending shortage of non-EU doctors in Irish hospitals because of the tightening of regulations and the introduction of a Medical Council exam which doctors must sit before they are allowed to work in Ireland.
"If nothing is done to resolve this issue there will be significant shortages in county and general hospitals," he said.
Mr Devine said the difficulties for junior doctors have arisen since the number of asylum-seekers in the State increased.
In some instances the doctors had been required to leave, he added.
These doctors, according to a report in the Irish Medical News, are required to have their papers stamped at a Garda station in order to enable them to continue working for a further six months.
But Mr Devine said some stations are refusing to issue the stamp unless doctors have their papers in order. As a result they are being asked to leave and to apply for an Irish visa from their home country.
The IMO has made representations to the Department of Justice and intends contacting the Department of Foreign Affairs.
"So far the response has been good. The Department of Justice said they did not wish to put unnecessary barriers to these doctors working in Ireland. However as well as these two Departments the Department of Health is also involved so it would be better if we had a co-ordinated response," said Mr Devine.