Consultants remain locked in marathon talks with HSE

Hospital consultants remain locked in marathon talks with the HSE this morning in an effort to finally reach agreement on proposed new contracts.

The latest round of negotiations have been ongoing since noon yesterday and have lasted through the night.

The talks are regarded as the last opportunity to finalise agreement on the new contracts following discussions that have dragged on for four years.

If there is no deal this week, Minister for Health Mary Harney has vowed to press ahead with recruiting new consultants on revised contracts.

The main sticking point is believed to be how much extra pay the consultants will receive in return for working more flexible hours and accepting restrictions on private practice in public hospitals.