The IHCA has expressed its “deep concern” over a damaging “closed door” approach taken by the Minister for Health, which it said has prevented any engagement with hospital consultants over the past 20 months.
The Association told members attending its Annual Conference in Kilkenny today (17 October 2026) that it has only met with Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill once during her time at the Department of Health, in March 2025.
The IHCA said repeated invitations had been made to the Minister to attend conferences, open headquarters, and discuss urgent patient-focused reforms.
According to the Association, this was in sharp contrast to the Government’s adoption of an “open-door” policy towards other unions and representative associations, as it seeks to avert a second nationwide strike next Wednesday.
IHCA President Prof Gabrielle Colleran commented: “If this week’s industrial action has taught us anything, it is that engagement is key to resolving differences, building trust and finding sustainable solutions to our most intractable problems.”
“What does it say about the relationship between the leadership of our health service and the medical profession when the organisation representing almost 5,000 hospital consultants cannot secure a discussion with the Minister for Health?”
Addressing recent comments by the Minister regarding a legal action taken by two consultants over access to the new surgical hubs, the IHCA reiterated that it was not a party to the case. It added that it strongly supported the establishment of these surgical hubs, as well as the long-overdue elective hospitals, which together could significantly address the current record waiting lists and wait times for hospital care.
The Association said the decision of two consultants to seek redress through the courts should not be “used as an excuse” by the Minister to stymie vital engagement with the wider consultant profession, or worse, to prevent other senior health management from interacting with the Association.
HSE CEO Ms Anne O’Connor, who was due to speak at the IHCA Conference today, was forced to cancel at short notice. HSE Deputy CEO Mr Damien McCallion and former Department of Health Secretary General Mr Robert Watt had also accepted invitations to attend IHCA events this year, only to withdraw their attendance.
“The IHCA stands ready to work constructively with the Minister, bringing forward clinician-led, sustainable solutions to the many challenges facing our health service. But if engagement is being systematically discouraged or prevented, that would be a matter of profound concern,” added Prof Colleran.
Among the issues to be discussed at the 38th IHCA Annual Conference are financial constraints, workforce pressures, and how clinician-led innovation can transform service delivery and improve patient outcomes.
Chief Economist at the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council, Mr Niall Conroy, will explain how budget overruns have become a persistent feature, with the need for evidence-based estimates of the impact of ageing and price increases.
In his address, the President of the High Court, the Hon. Mr Justice David Barniville, will discuss the Court’s reform agenda in the medical negligence sphere, and the critically important role clinicians play in supporting the administration of justice.
Mr Jim Daly, Chief Executive of the IHCA, added: “Leadership is about showing up. Consultants show up every single day to provide high-quality, timely care to patients in every corner of this country. We just want others to show up too, so that we can advance these important conversations and advocate for a better health service.”
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