Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 167: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the current status of the consultants' contract; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29576/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Negotiations recommenced on the 26th January 2006 between the HSE-Employers Agency/ Departments of Health and Children and Finance and the IHCA and IMO on a new contract of employment for Hospital Consultants. A paper outlining the employer's proposals for a new dedicated Public Hospital Consultants contract was presented to the medical organisations at this meeting but they refused to discuss it at this juncture.

The negotiations have stalled following a further meeting on the 9th February 2006 primarily because of a disagreement between the parties on the 'pricing' of a new contract and also the insistence of the IHCA and the IMO that the position that pertained prior to 13th January 2006 regarding the arrangements for structuring Category II Consultant posts should remain unchanged until the completion of contract negotiations.

A fresh attempt by the independent Chairman, Mr. Mark Connaughton, S.C., to get the talks restarted again on Thursday 29 June failed when the IHCA/IMO refused to re-enter negotiations on a new Consultant Common Contract, unless their pre-condition was accepted, ie. that the pre-13th January 2006 position was reinstated. The HSE was prepared, as a goodwill gesture, to recommence making Category II appointments for the duration of the talks process but the medical organisations rejected this.

The independent Chairman is re-establishing contact with the parties this week in order to ascertain whether it is possible for him to devise a formula for a resumption of the talks.