Consultant: 25% pay rises necessary to tackle crisis in retaining senior doctors

A consultant is defending proposals that could see senior doctors offered pay rises of nearly 25%.

Reports at the weekend claimed that revised pay and career structures were put forward by the HSE and government departments last week.

Entry-level consultants who work exclusively in a public hospital are currently paid €116,000.

Dublin-based consultant ophthalmologist Michael O'Keeffe says something has to be done to keep doctors in Ireland.

"Irish doctors are well-qualified and well-regarded abroad. We have a situation where 25% of the jobs in Ireland are unfilled," he said.

"We're increasingly putting locums in to fill some of the jobs. We have a crisis and whether we like it or not, we have to solve it if we are to maintain our heath system."