Harney not prepared to let consultant contract talks continue to drag on

HEALTH Minister Mary Harney warned last night that she was not prepared to let talks on a new consultant contract drag.

“I will shortly be bringing specific proposals to Government in relation to the talks impasse, so that Government policy will be implemented to ensure equitable access to our public hospitals for all patients and to recruit much-needed consultants,” she said.

Ms Harney said she was very disappointed that no progress had been achieved in the discussions on a new consultants’ contract and, while she would prefer to see, even at this late stage, constructive negotiations between all the parties involved, she was not prepared to allow fruitless talks to continue.