McDowell denies any conflict over consultants

THE Tánaiste has denied there is any conflict between the Taoiseach and Health Minister in their approach to breaking the deadlock in stalled talks over a new contract for hospital consultants.

Yesterday, Tánaiste and Justice Minister Michael McDowell said he had spoken to both Bertie Ahern and Mary Harney in relation to the consultants and that they were “absolutely 100% ad idem as to how this matter ought to be dealt with”.

The suggestion the two were on a collision course arose after the Taoiseach said: “It is always a fatal thing to do before you have negotiations, to declare what you would do if it didn’t work.”