Talks between HSE and consultants collapse

Direct talks between the HSE and hospital consultants on significant cost-saving reforms broke down yesterday.

Even though the Irish Hospital Consultants Association was willing to continue talks for a number of days, the HSE said it intended to forward the issues which had not been agreed to the LabourRelations Commission.

It wants those issues — including a lower-paid entry grade and consultants having to take part in a weekend roster — to be addressed as soon as possible, and it argues that it is not looking for anything that is not covered by the Croke Park Agreement on public service reform.