Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

I propose to take QuestionsNos. 7 and 105 together.

I am informed by the Health Service Executive employer representative division that it has been in discussion with the Irish Medical Organisation over the past number of years in an effort to reach agreement on new changeover dates for non-consultant hospital doctors. To date, the IMO has been unable to confirm agreement to alternative changeover dates.

Securing agreement with the IMO on this critical issue will continue to be a priority for the HSEERD. In this regard, employer representatives will seek to bring finality to this issue as part of wider negotiations with the IMO on a revised contract for NCHDs. It has been agreed that these negotiations will recommence under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission on 16 March 2005.

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