The Irish Hospital Consultants' Association have voted to resume discussions with the Government on new contracts, but only if the talks are unconditional and for a set period.
The decision was made at an extraordinary general meeting in Dublin attended by around 350 consultants.
Finbarr Fitzpatrick, the organisation's secretary general, said the prospects of talks resuming would depend on whether the Health Service Executive accepts that the talks should be unconditional, a key recommendation made by the independent talks chairman in his progress report last week.
The consultants have also passed a motion of no confidence in the board and senior management of the HSE because of conditions in the health service.
This evening, a spokesperson for the Health Minister said it was hard to see how meaningful talks could proceed given that the consultants had also voted no confidence in the HSE management, who are leading the talks for the State.
The HSE has said it wants formal clarification from the Consultants' Association as to what it means by unconditional talks.
McDowell warns consultants to co-operate
Earlier, the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice warned hospital consultants of the need to co-operate with plans to reform the health service.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio One, Michael McDowell said the time for mud wrestling is over and consultants would be wrong to think they can take on the Government and win.
He said the Government will push ahead with the appointment of up to 1500 more consultants and implement new contracts.
