IHCA condemns Harney’s three-week contract talks extension as ‘unrealistic’

HOSPITAL consultants have rejected the Government’s three-week extension to conclude talks on a revised work contract as a “totally unrealistic timeframe”.

Yesterday, the Irish Hospital Consultants’ Association (IHCA) said Health Minister Mary Harney had fuelled tensions between health service employers and consultants by her repeated threats to impose a new contract should talks fail.

Ms Harney has warned consultants she will impose a new contract and appoint 300 new consultants to work under a revised deal if agreement is not reached by April 17. They will be appointed on an interim salary pending a review by the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector.