The Irish Medical Organisation has recently recommended an increased fee structure to its members within the context of the existing agreement with the Society. Unfortunately, the I.M.O. has done this unilaterally and without consulting the Society. Practitioners are advised to have regard only to that scale of standard fees recommended for payment to Medical Practitioners operative from 1^st January, 1987.

It should be noted that this fee structure is a 'recommendation' only and from a contractual view point it may be prudent to advise the relevant Medical Practitioner, when requesting his or her services, that it is intended that fees will be paid at the 1987 agreed rate.

The Litigation Committee is continuing to negotiate with the representatives of the Medical Profession as a whole and with the Insurance Federation to reach a fee structure agreeable to all. Such a structure should hopefully be in place by the end of the year.