Consultants begin balloting for strike action

The Irish Hospital Consultants' Association is due to begin balloting its members today on possible strike action due to a long-running row over insurance cover.

Consultants from the Irish Medical Organisation have already decided to stop carrying out non-emergency work from March 14 and the IHCA is asking its members whether they want to join the protest.

The ballot arises from a long-running dispute between the Government and the British Medical Defence Union, which used to provide medical insurance to Irish consultants.

Around 15,000 out-patients and people scheduled for non-emergency procedures could be affected every week if the consultants go ahead with their industrial action.