Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

Unless we can change the current consultant contract, it is not feasible to negotiate the extension of the working day either from a personnel perspective or a financial perspective. To address one issue in isolation is not satisfactory. Consultants have a contract of employment that lasts their working career. Either side can break or alter the contract, but there are serious financial implications if that is done.

We want a new contract for new consultants which is more modern and which involves consultants working in teams with clinical directors and so on. The clinical director would be responsible for ensuring that consultant cover is provided on an ongoing basis. However, it would not be satisfactory to negotiate it in isolation from the other issues.

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