The Government is to meet the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) next Wednesday to discuss the long working hours of non-consultant hospital doctors. The IMO requested a meeting after last week's EU Council of Ministers meeting at which Ireland supported a 13-year phase-in period to reduce the doctors' working week to the 48-hour maximum enjoyed by other workers.
Yesterday the IMO's industrial relations executive, Mr Fintan Hourihan, welcomed the Government's agreement to meet the organisation. He also welcomed the offer of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions to raise the issue.