asked the Minister for Health if he will give details of the background to the present dispute between the County Managers' Association and the Medical Union; and what measures he proposes to take to resolve the problem.
Ceisteann—Questions. Oral Answers. - Medical Officer's Dispute.
12.
I would refer the Deputy to recent replies which I gave to similar questions, including two put down by the Deputy. As I indicated in my reply to the latest question, on 12th November, I am hopeful that discussions which are to take place shortly between the parties concerned will produce a settlement of the dispute.
I appreciate the fact that the Minister is endeavouring to resolve the dispute. The Minister has not given details of the background to the present dispute between the County Managers' Association and the Medical Union. I would ask the Minister to give this information now and to give details of the background.
The Deputy can acquire the knowledge himself. I do not want to discuss the various issues because negotiations are taking place. The Deputy knows the question arose in relation to a demand for a paid sick leave substitute. It was discussed with county managers and they said they were unable to comply with the wishes of the Medical Union. I do not want to prejudice the negotiations by going into any further detail except to say what is being discussed now is some possible compromise in regard to the main demand which is within the capacity of the county managers to pay and within my capacity to agree to, which will bring relief to certain medical practitioners in advance of the coming into operation of the "fee for service" principle of payment under the Health Bill. I am doing my best to see if we can arrive at an amicable arrangement.
Would the Minister agree that it is important not just for me to have the information but for the House to know the background to the present dispute? It may be misinterpreted because it may be implied that medical doctors are refusing to treat patients. This can be implied from certain newspaper reports. One instance is in Cork city where the district medical officer is ill and there is no substitute available for him under the present arrangements because of the intransigence of the County Managers' Association. This is very important and I would ask the Minister to be more explicit about the background to this present dispute.