Harney supports March 27 deadline for deal with consultants

The Minister for Health Mary Harney is hitting back at hospital consultants for saying the March 27 deadline for agreement on contracts is unrealistic.

The Irish Hospital Consultants Association is due to re-enter talks with health employers next week on new contracts.

But it says the seven-week deadline imposed by the government is unfeasible

However, Minister Harney said today that a considerable amount of time has already been devoted to these negotiations and the March deadline is entirely possible.