asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of growing discontent among junior hospital doctors at the refusal to grant them the agreed salary increase; and that, in fact, they have suffered a net reduction in salary as a result of an increase in normal deductions; and if he will arrange for an urgent meeting between the City and County Managers Association and the Junior Hospital Doctors' Representative Body to avert massive resignations.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hospital Doctors' Remuneration.
3.
Arrangements have been made for a meeting between representatives of local health authorities, the Hospitals Commission, the Irish Medical Association, the Medical Union and officers of my Department to discuss the remuneration and conditions of service of junior hospital medical staff.
Is the Minister aware that mass resignations have been signed by every junior doctor in Cork and Galway and that, furthermore, in recent days block resignations have come in from Jervis Street Hospital, the Eye and Ear Hospital, the Mater Hospital, St. Kevin's Hospital and St. Brendan's Hospital? Unless immediate steps of an urgent nature are taken there is every danger that the hospital services in the country and in the city will close down on 1st June?
I have already told the Deputy that there are arrangements for meeting these people. The Deputy did not listen to the answer to the question.
Could the Minister tell us what has happened to the tripartite meeting which was meant to be set up in April and to report back on 1st June?
I have just told the Deputy that there is a further meeting taking place.
Can the Minister tell us what has happened at previous meetings? The Minister is only fiddling while Rome is going to burn.
The meeting is being held on 22nd May—tomorrow.
How many meetings have been held?
A number of meetings have been held. They were not able to resolve the problems.
The Minister is playing a game of ping-pong.
There are many difficulties involved.