Brian O'Shea
Ceist:956 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the review of the hospital consultants' contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20605/03]
Written Answers. - Hospital Consultants.
A series of meetings has taken place between management and the medical organisations to resolve the outstanding issues from the current consultants' common contract. These negotiations have resulted in the introduction of a revised grievance and dispute procedure for consultants. In addition, discussions regarding the administrative leave provision of the common contract have been productive, although agreement on this issue has yet to be finalised. I would expect that substantive talks on a new contract will commence before the end of the year.
It is my intention that the talks on a new contract will focus specifically on the recommendations made in the report of the commission on financial management and control systems in the health service, the Brennan report, the audit of structures and functions in the health system, the Prospectus report and the forthcoming report of the national task force on medical staffing.