Striking doctors and health employers to attend LRC talks

The Irish Medical Organisation is due to meet the Health Service Employers Agency today in an effort to resolve an eight-week-old strike by Ireland's 300 public health doctors.

The talks at the Labour Relations Commission follow a failed attempt to end the stoppage earlier in the strike.

The striking doctors, who are responsible for the monitoring of infectious diseases and other duties, are demanding improved pay and conditions, particularly a properly funded out-of-hours service.

They are also demanding consultant status and the implementation of a blueprint for the development of public health medicine.