THE TRADE UNION representing Ireland’s doctors has recommended that its members vote to accept the Haddington Road public pay proposals.

The council of the Irish Medical Organisation issued the recommendation after a non-unanimous vote this afternoon.

The council had originally met to discuss the proposals two weeks ago, but had deferred a recommendation until it received clarifications on some aspects of the proposals.

This evening the IMO’s director of industrial relations Steve Tweed said the Government’s commitment to enter talks on ensuring that highly-qualified doctors remained within the Irish system, instead of being lured abroad, was a key attraction.

It said the proposals put on the table vindicated its decision to walk out of the original Croke Park 2 talks, as the proposals now up for consideration were a significant improvement upon the deal that followed the first round of negotiations.

It expressed “deep concern”, however, that the proposal would continue a policy of reducing spending in the healthcare sector, which it claimed would “negatively impact on the ability of doctors to deliver best quality care to their patients”.

The recommendation will be good news for the government, as the IMO had been one of the loudest voices in opposition to the failed Croke Park 2 deal, in spite of its relatively minor influence on the outcome of the final decision.

Members will now be balloted on the proposals.

Read: “This was a very difficult decision”: INMO accepts Haddington Road deal

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