6. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health her views on whether gender-based violence should be ground for disqualification of a medical professional; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17502/26]

Sentiment score: -0.20

The question of gender-based violence and the medical profession arose last year when a doctor, Christopher Morris, who had been convicted of assaulting two women was appointed as a locum consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology in the Coombe Hospital. Staff contacted me about that. It has now come up again as the result of what has happened in UCD. Thousands marched yesterday in support of a medical student who was raped and who had image-based sexual abuse committed against her on three occasions. The college and the school of medicine has clearly not acted property to deal with this situation.

Sentiment score: -0.23

Yesterday's protest was historic. Thousands of students reaffirmed our faith in the young generation. A key question that came up during that protest was whether UCD will do everything in its power to ensure this medical student can complete her medical degree within her original timeline or as close as possible to it rather than being forced to spend years longer in college because of the perpetrator's actions. She wants to achieve her dream of becoming a doctor. I ask the Minister to intervene to ensure this can happen. The whole country is standing behind this student. The question is whether UCD will do so. I ask the Minister to use her influence with the school of medicine. We will raise the issue of what happened but let us now look at the future. Can we rescue this situation for her and do everything possible to ensure she can become a doctor not years later, but as soon as possible?

Sentiment score: 0.12

Unfortunately, just because women are in certain positions it does not mean all of these questions are dealt with properly. I will not personalise it or mention names but we would not be here if UCD's leadership and school of medicine had handled the situation correctly in the first place. There is a problematic culture there and I ask the Minister to be open to that. As late as yesterday, the dean of the school of medicine sent an email to medical students telling them to be very careful because there was going to be a protest against gendered violence and providing an emergency number they could ring. How tone-deaf is that? The protest was against violence, against a rapist in their midst and against image-based sexual abuse. I saw that image. I had to look at it to verify all the facts. I saw the comments that went with it. They were utterly scary and sickening. People studying medicine potentially had a role in that. The rapist took so much from this person. The school of medicine and UCD should not take the rest. Let her complete her degree and please assist her in that.

Sentiment score: -0.24

It is on my Instagram.

Sentiment score: 0.00