HSE accused of deliberately sabotaging contract talks

The Irish Hospital Consultants Association has accused the Health Service Executive of deliberately trying to sabotage negotiations on new contracts for hospital doctors.

The negotiations have been ongoing for two years and, earlier this year, Minister for Health Mary Harney vowed to impose new contracts if the talks are not successful by March 27.

Speaking ahead of the latest round of discussions today, IHCA secretary-general Finbarr Fitzpatrick said he believed the HSE was deliberately delaying the process as it had already failed to turn up for planned meetings.

He claimed the HSE wanted to get the new contracts imposed on consultants without having to negotiate in good faith.