Vol. 576 No. 1
236 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the action he is taking to obtain a derogation on the European working time directive for non-consultant hospital doctors; if he will report on his discussions to date with his European counterparts on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29025/03]
Ireland has not sought to derogate from the European working time directive for doctors in training. As the Deputy is aware, Ireland is currently legally obliged to begin applying the conditions stipulated in the EWTD to doctors in training from 1 August 2004, and I am anxious not to avoid or postpone application of these employment rights. The European Commission is currently engaged in discussions with member states on the impact of relevant judgments of the European Court of Justice regarding the application of the European working time directive to doctors in training. Discussions with the Irish Medical Organisation on the implementation of the directive, as it relates to doctors in training, are set to reconvene in the Labour Relations Commission on 17 December 2003.
