Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank both the IMO and the Irish Hospital Consultants Association for their presentations. On the agreement between the Department and the private hospitals, I note Mr. Varley makes no reference in his presentation to any contact between the IHCA and the private hospitals. In view of the fact that the private hospitals were the places where the IHCA's members worked, was there at any stage over the past two months ongoing consultation with the private hospitals?

The agreement will not be renewed after 30 June, although there will be a new agreement. Has the IHCA set out its stall with the private hospitals as regards how an agreement can be reached between all parties as opposed to having the Department and HSE reach an agreement with the private hospitals and leaving the consultants out? I am wondering about the communication the IHCA had. The same question applies to the IMO as regards the consultation it had with the private hospitals.