BUILDING private and public hospitals side-by-side will lead to further health service inequality and undermine fundamental values, social justice groups warned today.

Two religious groups have hit out at the controversial plans to build private hospitals on the grounds of public hospitals, claiming it will create further unfairness in the health service.

Two Christian groups have expressed opposition to private health facilities being built on the grounds of public hospitals.

A REPORT by a voluntary organisation which supports hospital services has called for free GP care for everyone, arguing it would cost less than widening the M50.

Voting in the abortion referendum got underway this morning on the islands off the coast of Co Mayo and Co Galway.

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has defended the wording of the abortion referendum, describing it as "a very good set of proposals".