Doctors' hours could see Ireland before European Court

Ireland could be brought before the European Court of Justice in relation to junior doctor working hours.

The IMO will today meet with representatives from the European Commission in a bid to help them implement an EU Working Time Directive.

Jonathan Todd, spokesperson for employment and social affairs at the EC, said the issue has dragged on since 2009, and the HSE has until the end of the year to comply with regulations.

"We've been on this case now since 2009, when we opened legal proceedings against Ireland, and we've essentially told the Irish authorities that we expect accelerated progress during the course of this year," he said.

"Failing that, we'll have no choice but to refer Ireland to the Court of Justice."

It comes following a stalemate in talks yesterday between the HSE and the IMO in a bid to avert strike action by non-consultant hospital doctors on September 25.