Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 95: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on the new consultants' contract; and the way this will fit with her view of private hospitals in the grounds of public hospitals. [35509/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Discussions on a new contract will resume in early November on the basis of a formula presented to the parties by the independent chairman, Mr Mark Connaughton S.C. It is the chairman's intention that the parties will engage in intensive negotiations over the next two months.

Our objectives for a new consultant contract include:

a consultant-provided rather than a consultant-led service;

greater flexibility in consultants' work practices and working times;

consultants will have a clearly defined commitment to the public hospital system;

the introduction of team working as the norm;

enhancement of the role of consultants with respect to managerial and financial accountability;

consultants to play a more pro-active and strategic role in the supervision, education and training of NCHDs; and

more effective planning and monitoring of consultants' services.

The co-location initiative to achieve up to 1,000 new public beds by having private facilities built on the campuses of public hospitals is progressing apace. The Health Service Executive is currently engaged in a procurement process in respect of 10 public hospital sites.

As I said in the House last week, arrangements will be made to allow consultants to work in these facilities and remain on the one site, subject to better working arrangements by consultants in the public hospital itself.