IMO says no doctor offer made despite 'spin'

The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) today condemned what it described as "spin" within the media and from the Government over the public health doctor's strike which is now entering it's fifth week.

The organisation claims that no offer has been forthcoming despite claims from the Government and sections of the media to the contrary.

"There has been no offer made to the striking doctors in response to our claims," a statement on the IMO website claimed.

"The figures which have been mentioned by the Minister for Health represent merely the combination of payment of (1) increases withheld since 1994 plus (2) increases provided for under the new national agreement, including benchmarking increases which will finally be paid in 2005."

The IMO also says dismissed suggestions it is in breach of the new national agreement Sustaining Progress.

"The suggestion that the IMO is seeking to breach the new partnership agreement is clearly nonsensical when you consider that this dispute is nine-years old and predates to 1994 the current national agreement and in fact the three previous national agreements."

IMO representatives today scheduled to meet ICTU officials to discuss the level of support for the strike within the union.

Within the last week the IMO has asked ICTU for permission for an all-out strike that would effectively close hospitals.

Neither the IMO or the ICTU has issued any comment on the meeting as yet.