Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 December 2004
101 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the application of the European working time directive to non-consultant hospital doctors; if the directive is being implemented in all hospitals; the impact on staffing rosters in hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31558/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provisions of the European Working Time Directive as it relates to the working hours of doctors in training came into force on 1 August 2004. The relevant provisions were transposed into Irish law by way of the European Communities (Organisation of Working Time) (Activities of Doctors in Training) Regulations 2004.
Discussions involving the Health Service Employers Agency and the Irish Medical Organisation under the aegis of the Labour Relations Commission have been taking place for some time. While some progress has been made, much remains to be resolved. The Labour Relations Commission has requested that both parties refrain from engaging in any form of unilateral action for the duration of the negotiation process. As a result, as of the 1 August, health employers have not acted unilaterally in order to achieve full compliance with the directive. In many sites around the country, the introduction of new rosters would facilitate significant progress towards compliance with the directive while maintaining safe patient care and existing levels of service provision. However, health employers, in response to the request of the Labour Relations Commission await agreement between management and the Irish Medical Organisation at national level before proceeding.
The ability of the management of the health services to effectively implement the European working time directive for the benefit of all non-consultant hospital doctors, depends on the full co-operation of the Irish Medical Organisation at national and local level. This process was delayed for some time in the absence of agreement by the Irish Medical Organisation to the establishment of a national implementation group and local implementation groups in each hospital.
In this regard, both sides have accepted a proposal from the Labour Relations Commission for the selection of nine pilot hospital sites to examine local implementation issues, and to develop plans for the full implementation of the directive. Included in these groups are representatives of consultants, local representatives of training bodies, non-consultant hospital doctors, nurses, management and other grades. The work of the groups is well under way and it is intended that they will document how measures to reduce or reorganise non-consultant hospital doctors' hours can best be implemented. Action can be taken on foot of this information when the industrial relations process is completed. It is expected that further negotiations on the outstanding areas of disagreement will take place under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission in the new year, aided and informed by the material compiled by these pilot local hospital groups. Arrangements are also now being advanced for the establishment of a national implementation group to oversee and co-ordinate initiatives at local hospital level. I hope that early progress can be made in resolving outstanding issues, so that full implementation of the directive's requirements can proceed without further delay.
