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

The Health Minister has said that the HSE has done well to reduce its financial shortfall for the year to less than €200m.

Fianna Fáil's Health Spokesperson Billy Kelleher says the €1bn target for Health Service savings next year isn't "credible" or "sustainable".

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney has denied that James Reilly has lost control of his department amid reports of a ballooning deficit in the Health Service Executive (HSE).

The Health Minister says he will consider a further extension to the HSE for the preparation of its Service Plan if required.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has insisted that hospitals have been given increases of 3% in budgets this year and that the coalition is cutting costs and not services.

A junior minister has denied the health budget for next year is unworkable despite a warning to the HSE from the heads of four of the country's biggest hospitals over cuts.

The HSE official arrested for questioning about an alleged fraud at St Mary's Hospital in Gurranbraher in Cork has been released without charge this afternoon.

The incoming head of the HSE has warned of a new round of cuts in the health service in the coming months promising to clamp down on sick leave and discretionary spending.

Fianna Fáil Leader Micheál Martin has today accused the Minister for Health of misleading the Dáil over this year's spending plans for the health service.

Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte has today rejected suggestions of a rift between the Government parties.

The outgoing HSE chief executive has admitted there "are tensions from time to time" between himself and Health Minister James Reilly.

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton has said that budget targets have to be hit in the area of health, just like everywhere else.

The Taoiseach has denied accusations that the Department of Health cooked its books in estimating its 2012 budget.

Health Minister Dr James Reilly has announced a series of changes to the Board of the HSE.

Health Minister James Reilly has today warned that the departure of 2,200 health staff by the end of the month will pose "a significant challenge" for the HSE.

The Government has approved the drafting of new laws replacing the HSE with a new seven-part system.

The HSE has stated today that paperwork from Sligo General hospital found dumped in a bog in Co Galway contained "no meaningful disclosure" of patient information.

The Health Service Executive said today that it is "imposing a pause" on hiring at all levels in the organisation, including positions exempt from the recruitment moratorium.

The HSE has overspent its budget by €170m in the first five months of the year, according to the body's latest progress report.

HSE chief executive Cathal Magee will be questioned by the new Public Accounts Committee today.

Concerns have emerged over the cases of 25 people who were examined at the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit at Letterkenny General Hospital following an administrative error by the HSE.

The HSE chief executive said today that the health service needs to change, since the current system is still not working well enough.

Health Minister Dr James Reilly has cleared out the board of the Health Service Executive (HSE), claiming the dramatic shake-up will improve services and accountability.

Health Minister Dr James Reilly has said he intends to accept the resignations of 11 members of the Health Service Executive (HSE) board tendered at a meeting this lunchtime.

Health Minister James Reilly is to meet the board of the Health Service Executive today amid speculation of a shake-up.

Student nurses and midwives have threatened a campaign of industrial action over Government plans to cut their pay.

The uptake on voluntary redundancy applications among HSE workers has been very slow, it has been claimed.

More than 8,500 HSE workers have expressed an interest in an early retirement and redundancy package, it has emerged today.

The Government was today accused of systematically dismantling public watchdogs after the Ombudsman claimed health chiefs refused to co-operate with an investigation.

Older people have been systematically denied their rights over 25 years because of a lack of State-funded nursing home beds, a damning watchdog report revealed tonight.

Almost 1,000 HSE workers have already expressed interest in the organisation's redundancy and retirement packages.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen tonight said plans to cull up to 4,000 managers and administrative staff from the health service should not create any major disruption to services.

Health Minister Mary Harney today announced government approval for a voluntary early retirement scheme and a voluntary redundancy scheme for certain categories of staff in the public health service.

HSE Chief Executive Cathal Magee today told an Oireachtas committee that there appeared to have been a "systemic failure" to adhere to foreign travel regulations in relation to a training programme.

The Dáil's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will today begin its investigation into the latest waste scandal in the health service.

The Government is not turning a blind eye to alleged wasteful spending in the health service, the Taoiseach insisted today.

Childrens' charity Barnardos is criticising the HSE over the placement of four teenagers in an adult psychiatric unit on Sunday and Monday.

Health Minister Mary Harney was accused today of being out of touch with the pressures of maintaining a safe level of patient care.

The Health Service Executive has admitted that its cutbacks in the Western region will result in waiting times for patients in some areas and for certain procedures.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) is to call for a "crisis summit" to tackle the problems facing the health sector.

Health unions will outline their opposition to the threat of 1,000 jobs being axed in the West to the Labour Relations Commission this morning.

Dr Frank Dolphin has been named as the new chairman of the HSE succeeding Liam Downey who has completed the permitted two terms, it was announced today.

Ombudsman Emily O'Reilly has hit out at the HSE and the Department of Health today for their treatment of elderly people in long-term care.