James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

The Deputy, like me, is aware of the law of the land, the ability of legislation to be retrospective and the rights of people under contracts. The law is not the only road open to us in this regard. There can be negotiation and are broader matters that can be brought to the table that might help people see things in a different light.

On the Deputy's specific point, a number of consultants have extraordinary arrangements in place, with which I do not agree and will seek to change. The Deputy and I are law makers, not law breakers, and we must abide by the law. Within that framework, we will do everything we can to reduce the impact on our coffers.

I am interested in achieving from consultants, the vast bulk of whom are hardworking and give great public service, the flexibility around working hours and days that will provide us with the productivity that will deliver the service to our patients, reduce waiting times on trolleys in hospitals and reduce the duration of stay within hospitals. That is what I want to achieve. If I can achieve that, well and good. If consultants do not wish to co-operate, there will be a heavy price to pay.

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