Two surgeons suspended from Cavan General Hospital almost 18 months ago have had their suspensions lifted by the Tánaiste and Minister for Health, Ms Harney.
The Minister's decision in relation to the suspensions of Mr Liam Joyce and Mr Pawan Rajpal was made on December 23rd, but details of it only emerged in the High Court in Dublin yesterday, where a case in which Mr Joyce was seeking to have his suspension lifted was listed for mention.
Mr Rajpal has appealed his suspension to the Supreme Court, but that case has not yet been heard. The Minister's decision took many by surprise, including staff at Cavan General Hospital, which has been beset by controversy since the surgeons were suspended.
Controversy has surrounded the continuity of care provided by the surgery department as locum consultant surgeons have come and gone.
A number of adverse clinical incidents have been reported, the most high-profile of which was the death last February of nine-year-old Frances Sheridan three weeks after an appendix operation. She died from complications arising from the surgery, a post-mortem found.
A report from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, which inspected the hospital in November, described the surgery department as "dysfunctional".
The RCSI called for conflict-resolution procedures to be put in place, for the issue of the suspended surgeons to be resolved and for more resources for the hospital.
A spokesman for the Department of Health said that Ms Harney's decision to lift the suspensions had been made on the basis of legal advice.
The Health Service Executive North-East Region (formerly the North-Eastern Health Board) stated: "We are considering the position." HSE executives are expected to meet today to discuss what happens next.
Dr Joyce told The Irish Times he was delighted with the news. "I'm delighted it's over for myself and my family and I'm looking forward to getting back to Cavan," he said.
He and Mr Rajpal were suspended without pay over "interpersonal difficulties" in August 2003.
Mr Rajpal's solicitors issued a statement on his behalf. This said that he had been informed of Ms Harney's decision and was contacting his employer with regard to returning to work.
The medical board of Cavan Hospital, in a statement after a meeting yesterday, said that it welcomed the Tánaiste's decision to lift the suspensions "as a first step towards resolving the complex issues facing Cavan General Hospital".