Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Health his views on Ireland's obligation to implement the European Working Time Directive on legal working hours for the medical profession; if he will provide a commitment to fulfil the State's obligations in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7031/13]

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Health his plans to introduce the European Work Time Directive on legal working hours for the medical profession with particular reference to non-consultant hospital doctors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7137/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 682 and 693 together.

The Government is committed to achieving compliance with the European Working Time Directive in respect of non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) by 2014. I have emphasised to the Health Service Executive the high priority the Government and I attach to this issue.

In January 2012, a detailed plan for the achievement of compliance by NCHDs with the Working Time Directive was submitted to the EU Commission. The plan affirmed Ireland's commitment to achieving compliance with the Directive over a three-year time period. It committed to implementing the measures necessary, including new work patterns for medical staff, transfer of work undertaken by NCHDs to other grades and the organisation of hospital services to support compliance.

The HSE National Service Plan 2013 states that there will be a particular focus in the acute hospital service on the achievement of compliance with the European Working Time Directive amongst the non-consultant hospital doctor workforce. The Executive is currently finalising its National Operational Plan to support the implementation of the National Service Plan. This will specify in greater detail the actions to be taken in relation to EWTD compliance.