Deal reached on new contract for hospital consultants

The long-running negotiations over a new contract for hospital consultants appear to be over after the emergence of a deal last night.

Under the agreement, consultants who work exclusively in public hospitals will receive salaries of up to €240,000.

The Irish Hospital Consultants Association says it will now put the deal to its members, but is confident of a positive outcome.

The negotiations began in an effort to get public hospital consultants to work more flexible hours and to accept restrictions on their rights to engage in private practice.

Minister for Health Mary Harney has welcomed the deal and says she hopes consultants attached to the Irish Medical Organisation will also sign up to the agreement.