Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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1318. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the consultant contract negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36624/19]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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1319. To ask the Minister for Health when the inequity of new consultant pay introduced in 2012 will be corrected as per the recommendations of the de Buitléir report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36625/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1318 and 1319 together.

The Report of the Independent Review Group established to examine private activity in public hospitals was published on the 26 August 2019. The recommendations in the report have implications for contracts under which consultants working in the health service would be employed. It is my intention to consult with key stakeholders and with my colleagues in Government on the Report, in advance of any negotiations with consultants representative bodies on a new contract. My Department officials and I have met with the IHCA in recent months to discuss a range of issues. It is my view a process should be commenced with the various bodies in the near future. However, any solution has to be realistic and affordable.