Medical Council launches public consultation on the Code of Practice relating to Part 4 of the Human Tissue Act 2024 (Anatomical Examinations)
- The public consultation survey is open for a period of 30 days, from Wednesday 25th March to Friday 24th April 2026
Wednesday 25th March 2026: The Medical Council has today launched a public consultation on a new Code of Practice governing anatomical examinations in Ireland under the Human Tissue Act 2024.
The role of the Medical Council, as the regulator of doctors in Ireland, is to protect the public by promoting and better ensuring high standards of professional education, training, and competence and conduct among registered medical practitioners. The Council also sets the standards and guidelines for medical education and training in Ireland.
The Human Tissue Act 2024 replaces the Anatomy Act 1832, and introduces a modern legal framework for the donation, use and examination of human bodies. It strengthens regulation across areas including organ and tissue donation, post-mortem practice and anatomical examination.
The new legislative framework includes provisions around donation and transplantation of organs, tissues, and cells, post-mortem practice and procedures, anatomical examination, and public display of bodies after death.
Under Part 4 of the Human Tissue Act, the Medical Council has a central regulatory role in overseeing the lawful and ethical use of human bodies for anatomical examination.
The Medical Council licenses institutions to carry out anatomical examinations and ensures compliance with statutory requirements. These include the ethical and respectful handling of human remains, appropriate facilities, robust governance, and oversight by suitably qualified personnel.
The Code of Practice:
- supports institutions and practitioners in applying best practice aligned with current scientific, medical, educational and ethical standards in anatomical examination
- promotes transparency and public understanding of how anatomical examinations are conducted in Ireland, strengthening trust and accountability
This stakeholder consultation provides an opportunity for doctors, members of the public, individuals and organisations to submit comments and suggestions on the updated Code of Practice. Feedback via the online survey is welcomed until Friday 24th April 2026.
Dr Maria O’Kane, CEO of the Medical Council, encourages stakeholders to participate in the survey: “As the primary regulatory authority in these areas, the Medical Council is responsible for upholding high ethical standards, maintaining public trust, and ensuring the respectful treatment of human remains in educational, scientific, and public settings.
“We hold regular public consultations so that the opinion and input of our stakeholders is considered in the work we are undertaking. I would invite anyone who has an interest in the remit of the Medical Council to take part.”
Paul Byrne, Executive Director, Education, Innovation and AI at the Medical Council added, “The Human Tissue Act 2024 replaces outdated legislation with a modern system built on consent and transparency. At its core is a simple principle, that people and their families can trust that human remains will be treated with dignity and respect.
“This Code of Practice makes that expectation real, setting clear standards for organisations and showing how those standards are put into practice every day.”
The Medical Council’s public consultation survey is available here. More information on the updated Code of Practice is available here.