THE IRISH MEDICAL Organisation is to discuss its stance on the Croke Park deal, abortion, and payments made to its former chief executive as its 3-day annual conference begins in Kerry today.
IMO President Paul McKeown has said this year’s AGM is “perhaps more important” than many recent conferences.
“We have been through a period of great controversy and frustration and we are about to begin a process of renewal of the organisation which is perhaps overdue,” he said in his welcome to delegates.
The IMO was one of the organisations which walked out of the negotiations on the new Croke Park pay deal.
Doctors are also expected to discuss the issue of the €9.7 million pension settlement paid to former IMO chief executive George McNeice and how exactly the arrangement was made. McNeice had originally been due to receive pension entitlements worth an estimated €20 million under the terms of his contract but this figure was halved under a settlement package.
Delegates will vote on motions calling for the introduction of a minimum price for alcohol and a ban on advertising of alcohol later today.
Doctors will debate medical ethical issues around the beginning and end of life in a session this evening.
Minister for Health James Reilly – a former president of the IMO – will not be attending the conference. Minister of State for Primary Care Alex White will be attending the conference in his place.
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