Harney to present plans for recruitment of new consultants

Minister for Health Mary Harney is expected to present contentious plans to the Cabinet today for the recruitment of 1,500 new hospital doctors.

Ms Harney is vowing to press ahead with hiring the new doctors on less-favourable contracts than existing consultants due to the failure of the HSE and consultant groups to reach agreement on planned reforms.

The Government and the HSE want to end the situation whereby consultants can work in public hospitals and run private practices simultaneously.

They also want more flexibility from hospital doctors that would see them working evenings and weekends.

The Irish Hospital Consultants Association says it is happy to negotiate on the matter, but only if the discussions take place without preconditions.

It says it cannot accept that HSE moves to press ahead with reforming contracts before the negotiations are completed.