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  Progress at MDU MeetingRepresentatives of the IHCA met with the Medical Defence Union on Friday January 2nd last to discuss Enterprise Liability with the main body of the agenda being devoted to historic obstetric liabilities.The IHCA yet again emphasised to the MDU that its stance on historic obstetric liabilities was unacceptable. During the debate the IHCA representatives stated that an undertaking had been received from the Minister for Health to reopen discussions on historic liabilities. It was further stated that both the DOH&C and MDU needed to advance their positions if an agreement were to be found.· The IHCA proposed that the arrangement for a cap on MDU / MPS liability of €1million on an occurrence basis for an initial 7 year period should be made retrospective. The effect of this proposal, were it to be accepted by the DOH&C, would be that any obstetric claim from the past which was reported for the first time during the 7 year time frame would be governed by the cap on liability.· It was further proposed that should the DOH&C accept this formula, the MDU should be prepared to increase its financial offer to the Department for obstetric liabilities.· This was accepted by the MDU and a meeting will take place between the IHCA and the Department on Thursday January 8th with historic obstetric liabilities and the cost of obstetric indemnity into the future as the sole items on the agenda.IHCA Representatives Dr C. Quigley, Dr D.

Medical Council Elections The closing date for nominations for election to the next Medical Council is 1.00 pm on next Tuesday, 13th January.To be eligible to stand, candidates must be fully registered and engaged in the practice of medicine in the State on 12th January and 10 other fully registered medical practitioners must support the nomination.The incoming Council will include, inter alia, 2 consultants in general hospital practice who are not consultant Psychiatrists1 consultant psychiatristNomination forms are available from:Returning Officer1 Castlewood AvenueRathmines Dublin 6Tel: 01-497 0935To whom fully completed papers should be returned. 

Speaking in his Budget Speech on 3rd December, the Minister for Finance announced the following:"I will be introducing the following measures for new entrants with effect from 1 April 2004, except in those cases where, for legal or technical reasons, a later commencement date is required: the minimum pension age will be increased to 65 for most new entrants to the public service; this includes new entrant civil servants, teachers and staff in local government, the health services and non-commercial State Sponsored bodies; the present compulsory retirement age of 65 will be removed enabling staff to remain longer in work should they wish, subject to suitability and health requirements; the minimum pension age will be increased to 65 for members of the Oireachtas and Office Holders elected or appointed on or after 1 April 2004; the minimum pension age will be increased to 55 for new entrant Gardaí and Prison Officers and, in the case of new entrant Gardaí, the compulsory retirement age will be increased to age 60, subject to annual health and fitness certification after age 55; a minimum pension age of 50 will be introduced for new entrant Defence Forces personnel; the current minimum pension age of 55 for Fire-fighters will be retained for new entrants."

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A further meeting on Enterprise Liability will take place with the Minister, probably on Tueday, 16th December. Read the latest updateClick here to download file

Read the Minister"s letter of 5th December 2003. Click here to download fileRead the Secretary General"s reply of 8th December 2003. Click here to download file