Consultant talks continue at LRC

Representatives of hospital consultants and the HSE have arrived for talks at the Labour Relations Commission in Dublin.

The talks centre on new working arrangements, including new roster patterns, earlier ward rounds and lower entry level pay for consultants.

The Health Minister James Reilly says an agreement must be reached by Sunday night or else the matter will be referred to the Labour Court.

And Barry O'Brien, the National Director of Human Resources at the HSE, says it's time for the consultants to deliver.

"Well I wouldn't describe it as a gun to the head. There is a frustration on all sides with the lack of progress to date," O'Brien said.

"Every other sector in the health service has engaged positively and delivered significant change. We're looking for the same response from all the consultants who work for us."