An action for damages being taken by a surgeon suspended from Cavan General Hospital was adjourned at the High Court in Dublin yesterday.
The legal team for Mr William Joyce was about to seek a date for hearing the case when, following discussions with the defence, the court was told the matter could be adjourned by mutual consent for two weeks.
Mr Joyce has lodged a claim for substantial damages as a result of loss of earnings, loss of reputation, and career loss, due to what he will allege was the failure of a ministerial committee set up to inquire into his suspension to follow fair procedures and due to the length it took to establish the committee in the first place.
He is also seeking to have his suspension by the North Eastern Health Board lifted.
The action is being taken against the former minister for health, Mr Martin, who set up the committee of inquiry, the members of the committee, including its chairman, Mr Andrew Bradley SC, Ireland and the Attorney General.
Mr Joyce was one of two surgeons suspended from Cavan Hospital over "interpersonal difficulties" in August 2003. Also suspended was Mr Pawan Rajpal, who is appealing his suspension to the Supreme Court.