It maintains the register of medical practitioners licensed to practice, and has the power to place restrictions on or revoke such licences, in cases of questions about a doctor's fitness to practise.
As of 2022[update] the president of the council is Dr Suzanne Crowe, and its chief executive officer was Leo Kearns.
Kingram House, located just off Fitzwilliam Square, is a singularly distinctive building characterised by its odd blend of Georgian and contemporary architecture.
Front-of-house, a two-story listed building, was once home to an infant school and links directly on to a modern office suite.
The Medical Council has a staff of over 50 who work in three directorates (Professional Development and Practice, Regulation and Finance and Administration) reporting to the chief executive officer.
The Act gives the CEO an independent responsibility to present disciplinary inquiries to the Fitness to Practise Committee, once a decision has been made that a prima facie case exists for an enquiry.
To carry out this function, the CEO is empowered to collect evidence and employ legal representatives to present the case.
The Medical Council is responsible for setting and monitoring standards for undergraduate education and training in Ireland.