Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are negotiating the consultant contract. Discussions are ongoing between the Department and the Irish Medical Organisation, IMO. With the greatest respect, I cannot get into the detail of those negotiations because they are ongoing. As the Deputy noted, various statements have been made. The public health doctors are considering a ballot, which I fully appreciate is their right. However, given the situation I am not in a position to get into details that are being worked out through these conversations in the House. I am sorry about that. It would not be fair to the IMO or to the process that is taking place.

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