Hospital consultants have decided to suspend industrial action to allow for talks on the introduction of new contacts to take place next week.
The Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) made the decision to defer its current action "to create the right atmosphere", a spokesman told ireland.com.
IHCA members have been refusing to participate in hospital and national committees and have been boycotting some administrative duties as part of a row over the Government's decision to advertise without agreement new posts on revised contracts.
The suspension of the industrial action after a meeting of the IHCA national council this morning follows contacts yesterday between the consultants' association and Minister for Health Mary Harney.
Newly elected IHCA president Dr David O'Keeffe said he was "extremely anxious to create a constructive atmosphere as a prelude to our meeting with Minister Harney.
"I believe that it is to the advantage of all parties to devise a formula which will allow an early return to negotiations and a speedy conclusion to this process".
Ms Harney is due to meet the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) on Tuesday and the consultants' association next Thursday morning.
A spokesman for Ms Harney said last night that she wanted to move the situation on and work in a businesslike way towards reaching a solution. However, it is unclear what, if any, new proposals the Minister will put forward to break the deadlock.
The introduction of a new contract for hospital consultants is one of the key elements of the Government's overall healthcare reforms. However, the process has been beset by rows and failed negotiations for years.
In April, after a deadline set by Ms Harney for completion of talks was missed, the Government decided unilaterally to advertise new consultant posts on revised terms and conditions.
Medical organisations have also boycotted the recruitment process for the consultants to be recruited on the revised terms. The Government has offered salaries of up to €205,000 a year.
IHCA elects new president
Consultant Radiologist Dr David O'Keeffe has been elected president of the Irish Hospital Consultants' Association (IHCA).
Based in University College Hospital, Galway, he succeeds Dr Mary McCaffrey who did not to seek re-election.
Born in Dublin and educated in Belvedere College and University College Dublin, Dr O'Keeffe trained in Ireland, England and in Boston, USA.
