IHCA vows to continue negotiations to avoid strike

The Irish Hospital Consultants Association said today it would continue efforts to avoid industrial action in the row over insurance cover.

This follows last night’s ballot results which showed an 84% vote in favour of industrial action.

President Dr Josh Keaveney said it was the IHCA's intention “to get the further clarifications and commitments which we need from the Department of Health so that our legal advisors can place a negotiated package before the National Council”.

Keaveney said that the patience of his members was exhausted. “The problem of historic liabilities has been on the agenda for over two years," he said.

“There are now at least 25 of our colleagues who are been refused insurance by the Medical Defence Union,” he added.

The secretary general of the IHCA, Finbarr Fitzpatrick said they would be meeting with the IMO tomorrow afternoon to discuss cooperation during the industrial action if it goes ahead.

He also said they planned to meet with the Health Service Executive – Employer Representative Division in a joint approach with the IMO to discuss the details of the wind down of the non-emergency and non-urgent services.