The Health Service Executive is backing the call from student nurses and midwives to retain pay for fourth year trainees.

The Director of Human Resources at the HSE Seán McGrath has said there has been a "steady trickle" of interest in the new redundancy and early retirement programme, since it was announced yesterday.

THE Health Service Executive (HSE) has been warned that its decision to stop all new staff appointments could affect the provision of essential health services.

Irish Ferries have reached an agreement with SIPTU and beautician Salvacion Y Ortenero Orge to resolve the case.