John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 194: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason public-only contracts were refused to serving consultants in 1997 by the then Minister for Health and Children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3101/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I take it the Deputy is referring to the geographical whole-time without fees contract, which was introduced in 1991. I have been informed that the parties to the 1997 consultants' contract negotiations were in agreement that the problems associated with the operation of this particular contract outweighed its advantages. The option of a consultant taking such a contract on or after the 1 January 1998 was accordingly removed.