A new report to the Minister for Health on consultant contract talks says that the major issues still in dispute are pay, working hours and limits to private practice.
The talks chairman, Mark Connaughton, said there is an acceptance that more negotiations should take place this week to see if heads of agreement can be concluded on major issues.
In his latest report on the consultant contract talks, Mr Connaughton said the process has taken an unprecedented length of time.
Two pay offers from the HSE have been rejected by consultants and the chairman now proposes that pay levels be independently determined.
Mr Connaughton said consultants have shown significant flexibility on the working week, an extended working day and weekend work.
But agreement on a seven-days-a-week service is more problematic given the resources needed to operate this proposal.
Consultants still insist they must be allowed to do private work outside of their main public hospital duties.
