Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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Question 278: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the Hanly report otherwise known as the Report of the National Task Force on Medical Staffing is Government policy. [2877/06]

Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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Question 279: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if Ennis General Hospital will retain 24 hour, seven day consultant-led accident and emergency services. [2878/06]

Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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Question 280: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if Ennis General Hospital will have full acute medical and acute surgery services on site. [2879/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 278 to 280, inclusive, together.

The Report of the National Task Force on Medical Staffing, Hanly report, made a series of important recommendations about the development of hospital services. These covered issues such as the changes needed in NCHD work patterns; reform of medical education and training; the need for a significantly revised contract for medical consultants and an increase in the number of consultants and the reorganisation of acute hospital services.

My Department is working closely with the HSE to build on, and progress, these recommendations. Negotiations on a new contract for consultants have begun. It is important that a new contract be put in place as soon as possible. I also want the discussions which have been under way for some time now about the work patterns of NCHDs to be brought to a successful conclusion at an early date. The Government last week considered a report from the medical education and training group, Buttimer report, in relation to postgraduate medical education and training, together with the Fottrell report on undergraduate medical education and training. I will, together with my colleague Deputy Hanafin, Minister for Education and Science, make an announcement in the near future on the measures agreed on foot of these reports.

These measures, combined with ongoing investment in acute hospital facilities, extra consultant posts and the organisation of services around hospital networks, are designed to provide patients with faster access to high quality consultant provided services.