Madam, - Mr Batt O'Keeffe, TD accuses hospital consultants of "holding the country up to ransom" because they have refused to enter negotiations over a new contract (The Irish Times, January 27th).
This arises from our dispute with the Minister for Health following his decision to break our contract and impose the State- sponsored Clinical Indemnity Scheme without agreement - and in particular without resolving the problem of historical liabilities, thereby leaving public patients and consultants without insurance against certain claims from the past.
When one considers the industrial action taken or threatened by other groups of workers, and the disruption that may be caused, the decision of the IHCA to withdraw from contract negotiations is mild by any standard. What other group of State employees would start negotiations on a revised contract with the Minister's representatives, while in the same week that same Minister was driving a coach and four through the outgoing contract? Consultants have been misled and deceived by the Department of Health in the negotiations on the State-sponsored insurance scheme.
Incidentally, I am glad to note that Mr O'Keeffe is considering inviting consultants to meet the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children. The IHCA requested a meeting with his committee on November 27th, 2003, to discuss the very topic which is now driving consultants into rebellion - historical liabilities.
We look forward to his invitation. - Yours, etc.,
FINBARR FITZPATRICK,
Secretary General,
Irish Hospital
Consultants Association,
Dundrum Office Park,
Dublin 14.