The increments were due in 2009 under the terms of the 2008 consultant contract, and could leave the Executive with a bill in excess of a reported €250 million. Last year, an Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) hearing on the issue found in favour of two consultants who had taken a case to have the increments paid to them.
Dr Peadar Gilligan, Chairman of the IMO Consultant Committee, accused the Department of Health and HSE of engaging in a “series of delaying tactics” to prevent resolution of the issue, which is “really frustrating”.
“It shouldn’t have to go to court at all; it should be addressed between the two parties but they’ve forced us into this litigation and we shall see the result of that,” he told journalists at the 2017 IMO AGM in Galway.
<img src=”../attachments/f2527379-28d8-44b8-b07b-752490fba660.JPG” alt=”” />
<strong>Dr Peadar Gilligan, Chairman of the IMO Consultant Committee</strong>
Dr Gilligan described the State’s decision to “vigorously defend” its position on the withheld pay as a “waste of public funds”.
He told the <strong><em>Medical Independent</em></strong> (<strong><em>MI</em></strong>): “It is concerning and disappointing but we hope to get a resolution this year…. But it requires a ceasing of the delaying tactics and if we win in court, they have indicated they will appeal, which would be a totally inappropriate use of public funds.”
