Harney won't give consultants 'blank cheque'

Health Minister Mary Harney has said she is not prepared to sign a "blank cheque" for hospital consultants to end to a long-running dispute over insurance cover.

The row has been simmering since the Government introduced a state-run insurance scheme to replace that previously provided by the British Medical Defence Union.

The MDU has since refused to meet compensation awards arising from negligence claims dating to the time when it was the insurance provider.

The Government has attempted to defuse the situation by sending a letter to consultants promising that they will not be left without cover in all reasonable circumstances.

However, the consultants believe the promise does not go far enough to alleviate their concerns and are planning to press ahead with industrial action from the middle of next month

The doctors are planning to withdraw from non-emergency duties in a move that could affect thousands of out-patients and others awaiting non-emergency operations.

Speaking in Kildare this morning, Ms Harney said a stronger guarantee could jeopardise a legal case against the MDU.

"We have to pursue appropriate legal strategy and I have to protect the taxpayers' money and I cannot just sign a blank cheque for the consultants or for anybody else," she said.

"I'm not going to do anything that jeopardises the possibility of succeeding legally against the MDU."