Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

It should be 58 hours. I was wrong when I said 55 hours. Agreement has been reached on nine pilot sites where this working time structure will be implemented. It is, however, on hold pending the talks at the LRC and I cannot say when these will be completed. The sooner, the better because no one wants junior hospital doctors working the hours they have to now. It is neither good for them nor their patients. The only way this can be reorganised is through agreement. We cannot, however, be expected to pay 20% more for a substantially reduced working week.

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