IHCA 'not ready to recommend new consultant contract to members'

The Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) said today that it is not yet in a position to recommend the new consultant contract to its members.

The group says significant progress has been made in the past 72 hours, but there are still some areas where further clarification is required.

The comments come as the Irish Medical Organisation says it will be raising a number of issues with Minister for Health Mary Harney later today over the latest draft consultant contract.

IHCA assistant secretary general Donal Duffy says there is still work to do before the proposals can be put to a ballot of members.