Mr. Barry O'Brien:

In that case our position will be consistent with our position on every other grade and trade union representing grades in the health system. The public service agreement is a two-way process. There are challenges for managers to give effect to its operation as much as for employees. Significant change has been delivered across the health system. We have reduced staff by 10,000 since 2009. There are more consultants employed in the public system than ever before, with currently 2,580 consultants. We have never had such a high number of junior doctors employed. The number of medical staff employed in the public health system has never been higher. I fully expect all consultants to engage with and to accept the proposals and to work proactively with us.

The real issue for the HSE will be to ensure that it reports appropriately to the Government if it meets resistance and if it is not receiving full co-operation from the consultant body in question.