John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 31: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on remarks made by the IHCA that the extended working day for hospital consultants was put forward by consultant in previous negotiations with her Department but were rejected as an option; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21245/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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An IHCA representative indicated, in his presentation to the Joint Committee on Health & Children on 27th April 2006, that the IHCA had discussed the issue of an extended working day for consultants with the Department of Health & Children in 2002. It should be noted that the IHCA representative did not state that the Department had rejected its proposals. I have been advised that it was acknowledged by all parties at the time that, in addition to reaching any agreement with consultants on the matter, it would also be necessary for appropriate support services to also be made available for the period of the extended day.

I welcome the willingness of the IHCA to consider this issue and it should form part of the forthcoming discussions on a new consultants' contract. I might also mention that, in the context of the national pay talks, health service employers have pressed the trade unions to commit to agreeing new arrangements for an extended time span of the working day in order to enhance the availability of more accessible services for patients and other users of our health and personal social services.