asked the Minister for Health the present position regarding discussions on the renegotiation of the consultants common contract.

50.

asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement in relation to the discussions taking place between his Department and the Irish Medical Organisation regarding a new general medical service contract and the common contract.

159.

asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement on the present position with regard to negotiation of the common contract with the Irish Medical Organisation.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 38, 50 and 159 together.

Negotiations are continuing on a review of the common contract. As I have explained previously, because of the importance being attached to the talks, it has been agreed that details of the proceedings would remain confidential. I can assure the House, however, that serious negotiations are taking place on the key issues in the review and a further meeting will take place later this month.

Discussions are continuing on a new contract for doctors participating in the GMS scheme with the Irish Medical Organisation. I reopened these discussions last July and following a series of meetings both parties agreed to appoint an independent chairman to facilitate progress.

Mr. John Horgan, Chairman of the Labour Party, was invited to chair the discussions and since his acceptance the parties have met eight times and on occasions twice a week.

In relation to the common contract the negotiations seem to be going on for 12 months at a time when our health services have been cut back dramatically and dangerously. Referring to the previous question outrageous things are happening in our hospitals throughout the country. Abuses are taking place by certain consultants in the pursuance of their private practice in public hospitals. Surely it is about time if the Minister is serious about cutting costs and eliminating inefficiencies that he would bring these talks to a conclusion. They seem to be wrapped in the most remarkable shroud of secrecy that I have ever come across. These talks with a little goodwill on the part of his Department should be brought to a conclusion at this stage. Has the issue of monitoring of private practice in our hospitals been raised with the consultants groups and, if so, what has been their reaction? That is vital in view of the most recent report from the Southern Health Board where consultants are now——

May I ask——

——involved in private practice in public hospitals. May I have a reply in relation to the monitoring of private practice?

First, I would say that the review of the common contract was due in 1986 but the previous Government did not make any effort to see that that review commenced——

That is not the purpose.

We commenced the review in 1987 and it is ongoing. In relation to what is going on at the review I do not think it would be appropriate to go into any great detail here in the House but, as I have said publicly on previous occasions, monitoring of the consultants' work is one of the areas that is being addressed and will be addresed in the review. Deputy Allen has made serious allegations about abuses in public hospitals.

That is contained in the report from the Southern Health Board of February 1988.

I would be interested to receive specific cases of abuse if Deputy Allen wants to convey them to me.

The allegations made can be substantiated by the Southern Health Board report.

Allegations against anyone outside the House or even to refer to them——

It is a matter of public record.

Please, Deputy.

Could I ask the Minister if the GMS negotiations involve a capitation fee, overtime payments, pension schemes and fees for special procedures? What is his attitude to the demands of the IMO if these issues are accurately reported?

As I said in relation to the discussions on the common contract, it is not appropriate to go into details on the particular negotiations that are going on for new contracts for the doctors in the GMS scheme. However, I can tell the Deputy that they are based mainly on the report of the working party on the GMS which completed its work in 1985.

Next question please, No. 51.

There are only three priority questions.

That may be so.

Can I——

Sorry Deputy, I have called the next question.

We will be ringing the bell later because we will have time to spare.