asked the Minister for Health whether he is aware that Louth County Council are experiencing difficulty in filling medical posts for the new county hospital in Dundalk; and whether there is likely to be an early settlement of the dispute between his Department and the Irish Medical Association in regard to the terms of appointment governing such posts.

The senior medical staff at the County Surgical Hospital will transfer to the new County Hospital when completed.

I am aware that the Louth County Council, in common with most other Councils, have experienced difficulty in recruiting junior medical staff. That difficulty existed before the Irish Medical Association decided to impose its recent boycott on medical posts in local authority hospitals. It remains to be seen whether the boycott will further aggravate the position.

A post of county physician has been authorised for the new county hospital. That post has not yet been advertised.

The decision to lift the boycott on local authority hospital posts rests with the Irish Medical Association which imposed it. I have no information as to their intentions.

Is the Minister aware that at a recent meeting of the Louth County Council, it was stated by the county manager that he was experiencing difficulty in filling these medical posts and can he say whether any progress is being made or has been made with the I.M.A. in regard to this matter?

I am not in negotiation with the I.M.A. in regard to these posts. The I.M.A. imposed the ban without informing me as to the reason for doing it. I have told them that if they wish to meet me, I shall meet them when they restore the status quo ante.

Could the Minister indicate whether he is willing to receive a deputation from the I.M.A. in relation to this difference and allied differences?

No; I do not propose to do so. If the Deputy will be good enough to await the statement which I propose to make in reply to Question 4, he will understand what my position is.

Before this matter and this difficulty arose, can the Minister say what steps he was taking to deal with the shortage of applicants for vacant positions in these hospitals?

All the steps that are open to me within the limited resources at the command of myself and the ratepayers.