Last-ditch talks in bid to resolve doctors' dispute

ELEVENTH-HOUR talks will take place today at the Labour Relations Commission in a bid to settle the long-running row over hospital doctors' working hours.

Doctors' working hours must be cut from an average of 70 hours a week to 58 if Ireland is comply with the European Working Time Directive, which takes effect on August 1. Health Minister Micheál Martin confirmed last week that Ireland would not be compliant with the directive when it comes into force on August 1.

About 60% of the health service specialties will be complying with the directive, but the country's 4,000 junior doctors are opposed to the plan by hospital management to introduce a new rostering system that would see their pay fall.