The new appointees are Brendan Lenihan, with expertise in financial planning and management, and Fergus O’Kelly, Clinical Professor in general practice and family medicine.

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.

A report on children in care has found serious deficits in standards aimed at safeguarding vunerable children.

The crisis surrounding breast cancer services in the state was tonight branded one of the blackest chapters in the recent history of the country's health system.

The Minister for Health Mary Harney will face a 'no confidence' vote over the crisis in cancer services as a fifth inquiry into failings in patient care began tonight.