Preliminary talks were held in 2003 between management and the medical organisations to discuss the commencement of negotiations on a new contract for hospital consultants. Unfortunately, the opposition of these organisations to the extension of the clinical indemnity scheme to cover claims against consultants led to a decision by the Irish Hospital Consultants Association, IHCA, not to participate in further negotiations pending a resolution of the issues involved. This resulted in the commencement of talks on a new contract having to be deferred.
I am pleased that the substantive difficulties which consultants had with the establishment of the clinical indemnity scheme have now been dealt with. The Government has also given a commitment to defend the interests of consultants left without assistance by the MDU. I am confident that the medical organisations will re-enter negotiations with the Health Service Executive on a new contract for hospital consultants at an early date.