Vol. 395 No. 2
84 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement on the reported comment by a doctor (details supplied) that he regretted very much that a review of the common contract had not taken place and disagreed that it was the Irish Medical Organisation that had held up his review.
As I have previously stated, I initiated a review of the common contract in September, 1987. An agenda was agreed with the Irish Medical Organisation. Included on this agenda was the issue of `B' and `C' factor payments. In June 1988 agreement was reached on the scheduling of consultants' commitments. It was agreed that local management and individual consultants would immediately proceed to agree the scheduling of this commitment. Despite this agreement, reflected in a joint press statement, the organisation subsequently instructed members not to proceed to agree or record their specific schedule or commitments of local level. In this context, and having regard to the emphasis which had been placed upon a satisfactory resolution of this issue as a prelude to further progress in the discussions, the Government decided in May 1989 that a review of the conditions of employment appropriate to consultants, including remuneration, should be referred to the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector. I understand that the IMO have made a submission to the review body. I will consider the matter further when the review body furnishes its report.
