Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 33: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the progress made to date in negotiations with the Irish Hospital Consultants Association; the items which remain outstanding; when she intends to proceed with the appointment of the promised public-only consultants contracts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8552/06]

Gay Mitchell (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 79: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has set a deadline to end the consultant contract talks; the agency that will be responsible for implementing her new contracts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8336/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 79 together.

It will be recalled that both medical organisations — the Irish Medical Organisation, IMO, and the Irish Hospital Consultants Association, IHCA — would not participate in contract negotiations until the extension of the clinical indemnity scheme, CIS, to consultants was resolved.

Talks on a new contract commenced on 24 November 2005 under the independent chairmanship of Mr. Mark Connaughton SC. At that meeting, and a further plenary meeting in December, both the IHCA and the IMO indicated that they required a number of issues to be addressed before they could engage in substantive negotiations on a new contract.

While some of these issues remain unresolved, a position paper outlining proposals on a new employment contract for consultants working in the public health system was tabled by management at a plenary meeting on 26 January 2006. The medical organisations have refused to engage in substantive discussions on these proposals. At a further meeting on 9 February the talks were adjourned without any further date being set for their resumption.

While a further meeting between management and the consultant representative bodies has not been arranged, the independent chairman is maintaining contact with both sides with a view to arranging a formula to effect the resumption of substantive and intensive negotiations at an early date. I am anxious for the negotiations to be concluded within a reasonable timeframe. The Health Service Executive will have responsibility for overseeing the full implementation of the new contract arrangements.