The Medical Council is the regulatory body for doctors. It has a statutory role in protecting the public by promoting the highest professional standards amongst doctors practising in the Republic of Ireland.
The Council has a majority of non-medical members. The 25 member Council consists of 13 non-medical members and 12 medical members. The Council receives no State support and is funded primarily by doctors' registration fees.
The Medical Council maintains the Register of Medical Practitioners - the Register of all doctors who are legally permitted to carry out medical work in Ireland. Search for a registered doctor.
The Council also sets the standards for medical education and training in Ireland. It oversees lifelong and learning and skills development throughout doctors' professional careers through its professional competence requirements. It is charged with promoting good medical practice.
The Medical Council is also where the public may make a complaint against a doctor. The Medical Council regulates only doctors. It does not deal with complaints against nurses, hospitals or dentists. Complaints should be made in writing by completing a complaint form which can be submitted online, by email or by post. The Council cannot take complaints over the phone. See our guidelines on how to make a complaint.
How to make a complaint