Hostpital consultant representatives met with the Tánaiste Mary Harney today in an effort to solve the row over medical insurance.
The consultants, who are members of the Irish Medical Organisation, have served strike notice on all public and private hospitals, where services are to be withdrawn on Monday, March 14th.
After the meeting IMO Director of Industrial Relations Fintan Hourihan said the meeting with the Tánaiste was "a useful exchange in addressing the concerns raised by the IMO".
"The expectation is that following today's meeting a detailed document is to be furnished by the Department of Health & Children/HSE for consideration by an emergency meeting of the IMO Consultant Committee which will take place on Monday next," he added.
On Monday, the IMO notified the Health Service Executive of the contingency cover arrangements that will apply during any strike.
Consultants who are members of the Irish Hospital Consultants Association on Saturday decided to call off their planned industrial action and to join the Government in taking legal action against the Medical Defence Union.
The group said it was happy with the assurances the Government had given it. A Government statement said the Cabinet endorsed Ms Harney's commitment that no consultant refused assistance by the MDU would be left uncovered by the State if sued.