Deferral of Industrial Action

The National Council of the Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) decided at an emergency meeting this evening, to accede to the request of the Minister for Health & Children and defer the curtailment of services scheduled to commence next Monday. It was also agreed to defer stages two and three of the campaign*.The deferral is for a period of four weeks.

Representatives of the Association were invited to meet Minister Martin earlier this afternoon to receive an update on the Departments negotiations with the Medical Defence Union (MDU).

Dr Colm Quigley, President of the IHCA said:" In recognition of the real and substantial progress made during the past two weeks and in view of the Ministers assurances, the National Council has decided, following a 90 minute meeting, to defer action for four weeks".

The Department of Health proposed a progress review should take place in two weeks time. It is predicted that the process as a whole should be completed in four weeks.