A strike by hospital consultants who are members of the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) is to go ahead next month, it was agreed yesterday.
The decision was reached after the union received legal advice on a letter it received following a Cabinet meeting earlier this week.
The letter stated that the Cabinet endorsed the Tánaiste and Minister for Health, Ms Harney's commitment, that no consultant refused assistance by the Medical Defence Union would be left uncovered by the State if sued.
While the early indications were that the letter would be enough to alleviate the consultants' concerns about indemnity, Mr Fintan Hourihan of the IMO said last evening this was not the case.
He said the consultants committee of the IMO considered the advice of senior counsel on the letter yesterday and decided to go ahead and serve strike notice. It also adopted a five-page document setting out guidelines to be followed during the industrial action, due to begin on March 14th. The action will see hospitals reduced to providing emergency services only.
Mr Hourihan said the IMO was now seeking a meeting with Ms Harney.
Meanwhile, the Irish Hospital Consultants' Association, which represents a majority of consultants in the State, is still obtaining legal advice on the Cabinet letter. It will consider that advice at a meeting of its national council tomorrow.