Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 68: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding negotiations for a new contract for hospital consultants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11812/07]

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 110: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the situation regarding the current consultant contract talks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12038/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 68 and 110 together.

I have been informed by the independent Chairman of the talks, Mr Mark Connaughton SC, that following soundings of the parties, he is "cautiously optimistic" that agreement can be reached on new contractual arrangements for medical consultants. The Government has set a deadline of 17 April 2007 for the conclusion of the talks and have asked the HSE to prepare advertisements for badly needed new consultant posts in that week.