New talks aim to resolve consultants' contracts dispute

A fresh round of talks aimed at agreeing a new contract for hospital consultants is due to get underway this morning.

The Health Service Executive and the two main doctors' organisations are hoping to hammer out a deal over the next three days or so in Co Kildare.

Negotiations ground to a halt in the run-up to the general election when Minister for Health Mary Harney pushed ahead with plans to hire dozens of specialists on new contracts despite the lack of agreement with existing doctors.

The Irish Hospital Consultants' Association says it is hoping for a more positive atmosphere during the latest talks because everyone is anxious to get the discussions over and done with.