Pessimism remains despite IHCA vote on contract talks

The Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) has voted to re-enter talks with the Health Service Executive on new contracts for its members.

Last week, the independent chairman of the talks said they were going nowhere and proposed that both sides commit themselves to unconditional negotiations in an effort to move the situation forward.

Yesterday, the IHCA voted in favour of the proposal, but insisted that the talks must resume without preconditions.

However, the prospects for progress appear grim as the Department of Health said last night that it was difficult to see how meaningful talks could proceed given the fact that the IHCA also passed a motion of no confidence in the HSE team involved in the talks.

Reports this morning say the IHCA's insistence on no preconditions would also mean the HSE having to lift its decision to abolish contracts that allow public hospital doctors to also have a private practice.

The HSE, however, is considered unlikely to make such a move.