Consultants begin postal ballot for industrial action

The Irish Hospital Consultants Association is beginning a postal ballot of its members today on possible industrial action over its contracts row with the Government.

The ballot is being arranged following Health Minister Mary Harney's decision to press ahead with hiring additional consultants on contracts that have not been agreed with existing doctors.

The contracts are designed to end the situation whereby public hospital doctors can also treat private patients on the job, but efforts to reach agreement on the matter have failed despite protracted talks.

The IHCA says it expects its members to vote in favour of industrial action as a result of the dispute.

The action is likely to take the form of non-co-operation with hospital management.