Speaking today after undercover reports by the Irish Independent reveal that medics and legal firms are encouraging patients to submit dubious insurance claims, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health Louise O’Reilly TD has called on the Medical Council and the Law Society to appear before the Oireachtas.

Teachta O’Reilly said:

“The investigation and reports by Amy Molloy in the Irish Independent today raise serious questions for the medical and legal professions. The actions of those uncovered by this investigation do a huge disservice to doctors and solicitors as a whole.

“The reports that some doctors and solicitors are in cahoots in order to encourage and put forward possibly bogus claims is not only wrong, but it is possible fraud.

“If solicitors have asked doctors to change medical reports and if GPs did this, then that is fraud.

“I would compel anyone with information of such behaviour to contact the relevant authorities immediately.

“It is also important that this behaviour is investigated further and to do that I believe the Medical Council, the Law Society and the Central Bank should appear before the relevant Oireachtas Committees as a matter of urgency.

“This behaviour is abhorrent and it undermines trust doctors and solicitors, it also does a disservice to all those in these professions, and to patients who submit legitimate and genuine claims.

“The health service is in enough of a crisis without people conspiring against it in this way.”