Talks between health service management and hospital consultants to decide on a new contract have resumed this morning.
The talks, which are now at a critical phase, are an integral part of Government healthcare reforms but the negotiating process has dragged on for years.
Health service management want a greater commitment by senior doctors to treat patients in public hospitals.
However, they have agreed to allow hundreds of public hospital consultants with rights to treat fee-paying patients in "off-site" private hospitals to continue with these arrangements if they sign up to a new agreed contract.
In a letter sent to medical organisations over the past few days, management said that existing consultants could hold on to their private practice rights as part of "transitional arrangements".
Minister for Health Mary Harney has said she wants an agreement on a new contract by Christmas.