Talks on the implementation of an EU directive on the working rosters of junior doctors have been adjourned until mid-August by the Labour Relations Commission. Daniel McConnell reports.
The Irish Medical Organisation and the Health Service Employers' Agency held extensive talks in Dublin yesterday but no agreement was reached. The crunch meeting, lasting several hours, broke up late last night without resolution and the matter will be taken up again when the groups return in mid-August.
The talks stalled over the IMO's unwillingness to move on rosters for junior doctors.
Mr Gerard Barry of the Health Service Employers' Agency said following the meeting: "That no one involved under- estimates the challenges that lay ahead. These talks will take time but today's discussions mark a significant turning point in this process."
Mr Fintan Hourihan, industrial director with the IMO last night said: "The negotiations lasted for over six hours and there were some very frank exchanges. While there were some extensive discussions, no agreement was finalised."
The IMO rejected the claim that it was stalling on pay for its junior doctors. It had earlier criticised its exclusion from the process of drawing up rosters. Mr Hourihan described those rosters as "unsafe, unworkable and that they compromised patient safety". The Minister for Health, Mr Martin, said the IMO was excluded because of its refusal to engage with employers on the issue.