The Irish Medical Organisation has rejected claims that consultants are not working their contracted hours.
IMO President Dr Ronan Boland said most consultants exceed their publicly contracted hours.
He said claims to the contrary had the potential to further erode morale and that the hospital environment was difficult due to serial cutbacks.
The IMO said no robust data had been produced to show consultants were not honouring their public commitments.
At a briefing to outline details of its forthcoming annual conference, the organisation said health inequalities appear to be worsening.
It said there were alarming statistics of childhood obesity, alcohol and drug misuse.
