asked the Minister for Health whether he has considered the implications regarding recruitment of consultant staff to Irish hospitals in view of the serious hurdles which may have to be encountered in order to become permanent as a result of the judgments in a recent High Court case (details supplied).
Written Answers. - Recruitment of Consultant Staff.
251.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 250 and 251 together.
The issue of the timing of the certification was considered by the courts and the interpretation of the courts is that the certification process may take place within a reasonable time after the probationary period has expired.
It is a matter for the board of the hospital to carry out the certification process and the court has ruled that this process must be conducted in accordance with constitutional and natural justice and the stipulations set down by the court in a recent case. I am satisfied that the decisions of the courts in this matter are reasonable and I have no proposals at present to modify the procedure.
In my view these procedures will not give rise to any undue delay or other problems where the appointee's work and conduct have been satisfactory. Where there is a doubt about an appointees suitability it is to his or her advantage to have recourse to those safeguards set down by the courts.
I am satisfied that these procedures will not have any adverse implications for the recruitment of consultant staff to hospitals in this country.