Panic over the Covid-19 fallout gripped global stock markets yesterday in the worst sell-off since the financial crisis a decade ago, while oil prices slumped in their worst drop since the Gulf War almost 30 years ago.

The reality of a recession-era health service came home to roost for the Health Minister yesterday, but, for once, talk of trolleys, chronic under-staffing and yet more budget cuts did not take centre stage.

The Minister for Health James Reilly has said he understands nurses' concerns, because many health service reforms will bite this year.