Doctors prepare to vote in Medical Council elections

Nominations have closed for doctors seeking election to the Medical Council for the next term, which will commence in June 2026.

The Council, which consists of 25 members, has a majority of non-medical members, with 13 non-medical members and 12 medical members.

Of these, six members are elected by their fellow registered medical practitioners, five are appointed by the Minister for Health, one being nominated by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and the remaining 13 are appointed by nominating bodies.

The current term of office of one of the directly elected members of the Medical Council is due to expire on 31 May 2026. This position, along with two existing vacancies on the Medical Council, are subject to an election process in accordance with the Medical Council’s election regulations.

The three members to be appointed following this election process must fall under the following categories:

• One medical practitioner registered or able to be registered in the Specialist Division in relation to anaesthesia
• One medical practitioner registered or able to be registered in the Specialist Division in relation to public health medicine
• One medical practitioner registered or able to be registered in the Specialist Division in relation to pathology or radiology

To be eligible for election a medical practitioner must be registered on the Specialist Division and practising medicine in the State (but excluding any visiting EEA practitioner) on the day preceding the last day for receiving nominations (13 January 2026) and must be in one in of three categories above.

Additionally, a registered medical practitioner must be nominated by 10 registered medical practitioners practising medicine in the State and meet the eligibility requirements set out in the election regulations

Following the close of the nominations period, the independent returning officer, Mr Fergus Gallagher, Dublin County Sheriff, has announced the candidates for election to the Medical Council.

“As the Returning Officer, I have reviewed the nominations received and have deemed the following candidates eligible for election in the following categories, in accordance with the Medical Practitioners Act 2007:

Specialist Division – Anaesthesia

Dr Brian Patrick Joseph O’Brien – Registration Number: 018422

Dr David Michael Honan – Registration Number: 013213

Dr Ehtesham Izhar Khan – Registration Number: 049848

Dr Georgina Flood – Registration Number: 321315

Dr Khalid Rasheed – Registration Number: 021642

Specialist Division – Public Health Medicine

Dr Mai Mannix, Registration Number: 011309

Dr Ina Mary Kelly, Registration Number: 011181

Mr Gallagher continued, “In the category of Specialist Division – Pathology or Radiology, one candidate has been nominated, Prof John Conor O’Keane, Registration Number: 008071, and as a result, this category will be filled in accordance with election regulations.”

All doctors who were on the Medical Council Register as at 12 noon on 23 January 2026 are eligible to vote. The voting opens today, 6 February, and closes at noon on 26 February 2026. All doctors are encouraged to make sure they have their say in the formation of the next Medical Council by voting.

Formal results will be declared after the election voting period concludes. 

Speaking today, Dr Maria O’Kane, CEO of the Medical Council, said: “The Medical Council plays a vital role in ensuring patient safety. Council members hold responsibility for making decisions and upholding principles that protect patients and support the highest standards of medical practice. This election provides a valuable opportunity for doctors to influence the future direction of the Medical Council by helping to select their representatives. I would urge all registered doctors to vote and have their say.

“We are fortunate to have a number of very strong candidates contesting the election, who have been nominated by their peers. This reflects the continued commitment within the profession to build on the progress achieved in recent years. I encourage all doctors to use their vote in the weeks ahead.”

To vote in the Medical Council Elections from 6 February 2026, all registered medical practitioners (as at 12 noon on 23 January 2026) will be entitled to vote electronically in the election. Further information is available on the Medical Council’s website.

A link will be sent by email to the email address recorded on their registration portal (by the cut-off date set out above).

The voting process is overseen by Mr Gallagher, the appointed independent returning officer. Results will be announced on 26 February 2026.

The newly appointed Council members will begin their term on 1 June 2026.