asked the Minister for Health if it is proposed to revise the terms of the consultants' common contract.
67.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - IMO Consultants' Common Contract.
34.
asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement regarding the negotiations that have taken place to date between his Department and the Irish Medical Organisation with regard to the review of the common contract.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 67 together.
The common contract for consultant medical staff was introduced on 1 April 1981 and the majority of consultants had signed the contract by 1 January 1983. One of the terms of the contract was that it was to be subject to a complete general review within a period of five years. A review of the contract is being undertaken at present. It has been agreed by the management side and the Irish Medical Organisation that, having regard to the delicacy of the negotiations and the importance being attached to the talks, details of the proceedings would remain confidential. I can say, however, that the key issues are being addressed and that the management side has put certain proposals to the Irish Medical Organisation and is awaiting a response.
That would seem to dispose of questions nominated for priority.