Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 3 Dec 2002

Vol. 558 No. 4

Written Answers. - Industrial Relations.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

320 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the IMO has officially directed public health doctors and medical professionals not to participate in a meeting being arranged by a sub-group dealing with the threat of bio-terrorism due to be held in the National Disease Surveillance Centre on 2 December 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24658/02]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

321 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if it is the intention of his Department and the health boards to enter into discussions with the IMO on the implementation of the Brennan review into pay and conditions of public health doctors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24659/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 320 and 321 together.

The IMO communicated to my Department its intentions to direct public health doctors not to participate in the meeting held on 2 December on the threat of bio-terrorism. I regret the IMO took this course of action.

The public health review group was established to examine the pay, conditions and structures of the public health function. A report was issued in April 2002 by the chairman of the group, Mr. Declan Brennan.

As indicated in this report, further clarification of certain issues was required, most notably the proposed establishment of Departments of population health, as outlined in the health strategy. The chairman stated that as a result of this, there might be a need to revisit the organisational structures as outlined in this report. Other key elements relating to public health doctors such as the implementation of the benchmarking report and out of hours cover must also be factored into this process.