Sir, - While acknowledging the reason for the establishment of "self policing" bodies such as the Medical Council (and others legal, etc.) which have legal status and the good work members have done regarding the medical profession and the public in general I believe the time has come for the disestablishment of such bodies and for their replacement by advisory bodies.
The pressure from an increasingly informed public, particularly on "ethical" and "moral" issues, is excessive and increasing as medical science develops in many areas such as genetics. I believe its function should now be in the provenance of the legal structures and courts of the State. Such can obtain medical and other advice if required.
We would, I believe, benefit. At present, we are losing the confidence of much of the public, and indeed of a significant number of the profession which the council has served well in the past. - Yours etc.,
Shrewsbury Park, Ballsbridge,
Dublin 4.