The Irish Medical Organisation has claimed Health Minister James Reilly had now 'realised the error of his decision' in 2012 to impose a 30% pay cut on new entrant consultants.

irishhealth.com revealed yesterday that the Minister had ruled that this pay cut imposed on new entrant consultants in September 2012 would no longer apply to existing consultants moving to new posts, but would continue to apply to trainees who are appointed to a consultant post for the first time.

The IMO welcomed the decision, but said the Minister now realised that the decision to impose the 30% cut in September 2012 was a mistake in terms of disincentivising young consultants taking up specialist posts for the first time and in discouraging existing consultants from moving to new posts.

"Far from saving the Government money, this ill-thought out decision has only led to fewer consultant posts being filled, with a coresponding reduction in services to patients."

He said the pay cut and other issues had created disincentives and obstacles to highly skilled doctors who might otherwise choose to work in the Irish health system

IMO Assistant Industrial Relations Director Anthony Owens said the issue of remuneration and career structures for consultants could stiull be dealt thriough negotiation under the Haddington Road Agreement.