asked the Minister for Health when he intends to hold consultations with the Irish Medical Organisation regarding a common selection policy for consultants.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hospital Consultants.
8.
My Department has already consulted the Irish Medical Organisation as well as a wide range of other interested parties on draft guidelines for the common selection of hospital consultants and senior registrars.
Is the Minister aware of the widespread dissatisfaction with the proposals for the common selection policy among the various organisations concerned?
I am never surprised at what I regard as extraordinary reactions from all sorts of people about Department of Health proposals. On 20 February 1986 the draft guidelines were sent out to a wide range of interested bodies. The proposals are extremely rational and the organisations I have met have all accepted that, generally speaking, the proposals are fair and reasonable. Some of the extreme observations made about these documents would make one wonder if the organisations concerned bothered to read them. I am prepared to meet the organisations, as I indicated in the initial correspondence to go through the various appointed procedures. It is frustrating because I am the first Minister for Health to get down to have a look at the idea of a common selection procedure for consultants and senior registrars. I am the first person in this position to become preoccupied about this. Having done it, after years of agitation from the Irish Medical Organisation, no sooner have the documents gone out than some entirely negative reactions come back. On close examination I am convinced it will be quite clear that we will have an effective guidelines system in operation in the near future. I am prepared to discuss the matter with the Deputy and his colleagues to indicate the role of the Department.
Before the Minister finishes clapping himself on the back, could I remind him of a meeting he addressed of Comhairle na nOspidéal shortly after he took office when he promised the implementation of a common selection procedure within about six months? We are still waiting for it. Is he satisfied that Comhairle na nOspidéal, the body with statutory authority in relation to the number and type of consultants, are satisfied with his proposals?
I have done what Deputies and others have been urging me to do. I sent the guidelines to many organisations asking them for their views on them. I got some very interesting responses from the various specialities and I will be taking them into consideration to the greatest possible extent. We will be having detailed consultations with Comhairle na nOspidéal on the guidelines and I have no doubt there will be a comprehensive reaction from them. Then we will put the guidelines into operation.
When would the Minister hope to implement the guidelines?
I am working on that and on a review of the common contract. I am very anxious to put it into operation as soon as possible. As the Deputy knows, every time I make a move in that direction many of the vested interests out there express not just opposition but are vociferously opposed to any efforts of mine to bring in a common selection procedure. The Deputy knows whom I am talking about. I am still convinced I can do it this year and there will probably be serious confrontation on it.