Consultants urged to be flexible on work practices

Health Minister James Reilly has told hospital consultants that he would prefer that they were more flexible in their work practices rather than having to cut their wages.

Minister Reilly is attending the Irish Hospital Consultants' Association annual conference in Waterford today.

He said that pay cuts for consultants is in the Programme for Government but other options are available.

Speaking to WLR, Minister Reilly said he wants to focus on improving the health system rather than on consultants' wages.

"You can leave someone on the same hours and cut their pay, or you can ask someone to be more flexible… and that, de facto, is a reduction in pay," he said.

"To get hung up on pay precisely is not where I want to be.

"I want this health service reformed - I want consultants to be part of the leadership of that."