Hospital consultants say their decision to ballot for industrial action is because of the degree of political interference in negotiations on new contracts.
The Irish Hospital Consultants' Association says it will not co-operate with the interview process for the recruitment of new consultants on the Government's terms.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio's Morning Ireland, IHCA President Dr Mary McCaffrey appealed to those who are thinking of applying for the posts to take a long-term view of their careers, and to hold out until a better contract is negotiated.
She said consultants would not be returning to talks until they get a guarantee that appointments will be on agreed terms.
The Minister for Health, Mary Harney, has said the IHCA's decision to ballot members on industrial action is counter-productive.
The association decided to ballot its members for a campaign of action at an emergency meeting yesterday.
