The Irish Hospital Consultants Association's Contract Negotiating Committee is to meet today to consider the proposals for a new contract, tabled by the Health Service Executive last night.
The new contract provides for salaries of up to €216,000 a year for top doctors.
The maximum annual salary for consultants who insist on keeping their existing contracts and private practice will be €45,000 less.
The working week for new consultants would be 39 hours, delivered between 7am to 10pm weekdays.
