The Health Minister says patients are the real losers today after doctors rejected a new proposal to end a pay dispute.

Hospital consultants have overwhelmingly rejected a new proposal to end a pay dispute.

The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) says the plan - to reduce pay of new entrants by 30 per cent - would create a two-tier system for doctors working side-by-side. Members of the IMO voted against the deal with an overwhelming majority of 83 per cent.

The consultants are demanding equal pay for equal work - warning that the HSE proposal will result in a manpower crisis.

Minister Leo Varadkar says the IMO's decision is very disappointing, and that the proposed salary scale ranging from €127,000 to €175,000 is very good.

“The result is very disappointing. The proposed salary scale ranging from €127,000 to €175,000 is very good by any reckoning. The real losers today are patients."

“The Government will now have to consider its options in filling the Consultant vacancies.”