Hospital consultants talks set to resume today

Talks on the introduction of new contracts for hospital consultants are expected to resume.

It is thought industrial action by members of the Irish Hospital Consultants Association will be suspended, to allow talks to recommence with the Government.

Members of the Irish Hospital Consultants Association have been engaging in a work-to-rule, which has seen them refusing to participate in certain committees and administrative duties.

Mary Harney is due to meet both groups representing consultants next week, after her re-appointment as Minister for Health.

The new contracts form part of her overall reforms of the health sector, but numerous deadlines for agreement have been missed.

As well as their work-to-rule, the IHCA and Irish Medical Organisation are also refusing to co-operate with the recruitment of new consultants as there is no agreement on the contracts issue.