Consultants' union chief gives cautious welcome to new deal

IHCA secretary general Finbarr Fitzpatrick has tonight welcomed the new agreement between hospital consultants and the Governemnt, but cautioned that “a number of other items require clarification”.

IHCA secretary general Finbarr Fitzpatrick has tonight welcomed the new agreement between hospital consultants and the Government, but cautioned that “a number of other items require clarification”.

He said that the initial reaction to the deal was “quite positive” however, and he was quite confident that the substantive deal will be ratified, pending a consultative process with union members.

According to Fitzpatrick, the renegotiated salary levels range between €175,000-240,000.

He said that he expected the final outcome of the talks to be known within “a number of weeks”.