THE IMO's consultant committee will meet this evening to discuss a new draft contract for consultants which was tabled by health service employers yesterday.
The document removes all references to consultants being rostered to work any five days in a week but continues to insist they be rostered from 8am to 8pm daily and be on site at weekends.
For those with contracts entitling them to do private practice in public hospitals, they will not be allowed to spend more than 20 per cent of their time on private patients.
Last night Fintan Hourihan, director of industrial relations with the IMO, said he regarded the 49-page-document as only a draft which would require further discussions next week before it could be put to a ballot by members. "There are some issues still outstanding," he said. " . . . But there is some progress being made."