A roundup of today's other news in biref:
Strike at Mount Carmel group averted
A strike at the Mount Carmel Hospital group over the introduction of pay cuts, which was scheduled to begin on Monday, has been averted.
The group, which includes private hospitals Mount Carmel, Dublin, Aut Even, Kilkenny, and St Joseph’s, Sligo, said that it had reached an agreement with the trade unions MLSA and Siptu.
Under the deal the group will temporarily suspend pay cuts of up to 6 per cent which it introduced unilaterally in January. There will also be a full independent review of the group’s finances.
Civil Service trade unions asked to accept work placement plan
The Government has sought for trade unions in the Civil Service to co-operate with plans for a new work placement scheme as part of talks on modernisation and reform, writes Martin Wall.
The proposed programme, which was flagged by the Government in the budget, would offer unemployed persons, including graduates, the opportunity to obtain six months' work experience while retaining social welfare entitlements.
Informed sources said that concerns had been raised by unions about the application of this programme, which would be operated by Fás, in the Civil Service. As part of the current talks process, discussions were held yesterday between Government officials and trade unions representing staff in the Civil Service and in the health sector.
Initially these sectoral talks are concentrating on the proposed reform programme in the public service.
Highly controversial issues such as pay are not expected to be addressed in the talks until next week.
On Monday the parties will hold a plenary meeting to take stock of the sectoral talks over the past week.
Garda questioned over media leak
A Garda who was arrested in connection with the leaking of documents to the media which led to the resignation of former junior minister Trevor Sargent has been released without charge.
She was detained at Lucan Garda station on Thursday for questioning about how correspondence from the former Green Party leader to the Garda was passed to a newspaper. A garda can face a €50,000 fine or up to five years in jail for disclosing confidential information.
Surgeon at Navan hospital suspended
A consultant at a Co Meath hospital has been suspended over patient care concerns, it has emerged.
The surgeon at Our Lady's Hospital in Navan was placed on administrative leave on Wednesday.
An internal investigation is now under way into patient care concerns relating to the work of the surgeon.
In a statement, the HSE confirmed that a member of staff at the hospital was placed on administrative leave as of March 17th.