The Government has today given hospital consultants an extra three weeks to agree on a new contract with the Health Service Executive after the chairman of the talks reported progress.
Minister for Health Mary Harney had initially warned that she will begin recruiting 1,500 new consultants if agreement is not reached by this week, but after an encouraging scheduled report from Mark Connaughton the deadline has been extended until April 17th.
It is believed that Mr Connaughton reported good engagement and substantial progress in the talks between health service employers and hospital consultants.
"During the week of April 17th, the Health Service Executive will advertise for new consultants for the health care system," Ms Harney said today.
Ms Harney wants the new contract to allow equal access to public hospitals for all patients and flexibility in staff working arrangements.
She ruled out any further extensions to the talks timetable.
"If we can't resolve these issues over the next three weeks given the length of time we have already been discussing these issues, I see no reason why we would do it in a further three months.
"I believe there will be goodwill from everybody to focus now over the next three weeks."