IMO plans ‘full’ AGM next year even if virtual

The IMO intends to hold a full AGM next year, even if it is “virtual” this newspaper has been told.

Last Thursday (29 October) the IMO held an “abridged” AGM to deal with matters such as reports from the union’s President and Treasurer.

The Medical Independent (MI) understands it was a short meeting that had only one motion where the union voted to support the move by public health doctors to ballot to allow industrial action up to and including strike action. The ballot is due to take place before the end of November.

The special resolution was passed at last week’s abridged AGM to support ballot to allow action “if the long promised grade of consultant is not awarded to 60 public health specialists.” 

The current IMO leadership including President Dr Padraig McGarry and Vice President Dr Paddy Hillery will remain in their positions until a “full” AGM can be held next year which would be expected to take place in April.

“At the outset of the pandemic, the IMO cancelled its planned 2020 annual general meeting and council put in place the following arrangements, which are reviewed at each council meeting,” IMO Chief Executive Officer Ms Susan Clyne told MI prior to last week’s abridged AGM.

“Honorary officers will remain in place pending a full AGM; those officers being: Dr Padraig McGarry, President; Dr Paddy Hillery, Vice President; Dr Brian O’Doherty, Treasurer; and Dr Ina Kelly, Honorary Secretary.”

Ms Clyne added that all members of the union’s national specialty committees and Chairs of those committees remain in place. Elections were held prior to the pandemic and any newly elected members were brought onto the relevant committee.

“It is unclear at this time whether the 2021 AGM will be a virtual event and a decision will be made nearer the time and will be dependent on the prevailing public health guidance.”

In early March, the IMO announced its decision to postpone the 2020 AGM in light of the evolving Covid-19 situation. The AGM was due to be held in Killarney, Co Kerry, from 16-19 April.

Our AGM is an important event in the development of our policy on health and industrial [relations] matters, but, at this time, we have a particular responsibility to focus all our efforts on the Covid-19 crisis,” said Dr McGarry at the time.