Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I outlined my position very clearly in that regard at the IMO conference in Killarney a couple of weekends ago and I am happy to outline it again here. Addressing consultants and their concerns is the next major issue we need to resolve. I say that from the position that we have just reached an agreement with general practitioners, which is still being considered by the Irish Medical Organisation. There was scepticism in this House as to whether that would happen. It has happened and it has been warmly welcomed by many GPs. An agreement reached with nurses was accepted by more than 60% of nurses in a ballot for a new nurses' contract. The next obvious area that we must work on is consultants. That will require a process. I have had talks with the Irish Hospital Consultants Association, IHCA. I have also had talks with the IMO in recent weeks on those matters and I will work with Government colleagues to work out how best to design a process, one that respects the public sector pay parameters within which we have to operate.

There are other factors above and beyond pay, including, for example, some of the factors that the Sláintecare committee highlighted in relation to the de Buitléir report and the concept that we should not have private practice taking place in public hospitals. There is a multitude of issues when it comes to the point Deputy Donnelly makes regarding access.

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