The IHCA, which represents the majority of consultants, believes it has been sidelined. I am asking for a commitment that it will be involved in some way in the negotiations.

It very much feels sidelined and that there is no engagement with the Department. My understanding is that in recent weeks there has been little or no engagement on the way forward and the IHCA was not even aware an invitation was being issued to the IMO. It is concerned that there was no communication of any description. Whether we like it or not, it represents a majority of the consultants in the Irish hospital structure at present.