The Minister for Health has outlined proposed new legislation that will make it an offence to pretend to be a registered medical practitioner and to carry out treatment that should only be performed by a qualified person.
The Bill amends the Medical Practitioners Act as it relates to the registration and regulation of medical practitioners by the Medical Council. Mr Martin said the Bill would outline that the Medical Council's primary role is the protection of the public.
It will also be an offence to make a false declaration to obtain registration.
"The Medical Council Council will be able to investigate persons claiming to be medical practitioners and can seek an injunction to stop that person from engaging in these activities. The Bill will also allow for the appointment of additional persons who represent medical patients and the general public to be appointed to the Medical Council," said Mr Martin.
He said the draft Heads of Bill have now been presented to Cabinet and detailed drafting will proceed as a matter of priority.
The measures will close a loophole exposed by the use of a controversial cancer treatment by an unregistered doctor practising in Co Clare.
Mr William Porter, Killaloe, Co Clare, has been treating terminally ill cancer patients with a type of photodynamic therapy despite the fact that research showed a poor outcome for many of some 48 people he treated.
Mr Porter, who was struck off in California for gross negligence, had chosen not to register as a doctor with the Medical Council here. As a result, the council was unable to take proceedings against him under the terms of existing Medical Practitioners Act.
