Brendan Howlin, the public expenditure minister, has put himself on a collision course with the HSE, warning it must sign up to his cost cutting plan laid down in last week’s budget.

A public health drive is urging parents to reduce their children’s meal size, give them water instead of sugary drinks, and reduce the time they spend in front of a television or computer.

THE budget was a cold one. The restrictions on medical cards for the over-70s and the abolition of the death grant are grim metaphors for that which lies beneath the mindset behind the budget.

THE one form of opposition this austerity-monger Government fears most is to hit the Dáil today — grey rage.

THE health service is facing a year of chaos as thousands of people fear they will lose their medical cards, and the Government has no idea how it will be managed.