Stronger enforcement of the rules limiting private practice in public hospitals is needed, an official from the Department of Health told the Oireachtas health committee.

Up to 500 hospital consultants have lodged papers in court seeking compensation for the State’s failure to pay higher salaries agreed in 2008, according to the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO).

Hospital consultants are resigning at a rate of one or two per month, mainly in frustration at the two-tier pay system, according to the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO).

Simon Harris is “the latest in a long line of health ministers who are ‘doing their best’,” but it’s not enough, a leading economist has said.

Don’t expect others in the public service to rally behind the hospital consultants, writes Health Correspondent Catherine Shanahan

Latest: The Irish Medical Organisation says overcrowding is now a year-round problem and that acute beds are urgently needed to free up Emergency Departments.

A leading emergency medicine consultant has accused the HSE of “fudging” patient waiting times in emergency departments (EDs).

A patient with metastatic cancer told a doctor he would rather “drown myself in the river” than return for treatment to a cancer centre of excellence where he would face emergency department delays and the likelihood of days on a trolley.

As talks continue to avert a nurses strike, embattled Health Minister Leo Varadkar has admitted the headache of emergency department overcrowding will take another five years to resolve.

Brendan Nix told the court that a member of the Dundon family contacted John Devane solicitors on Tuesday and asked the Limerick firm to come on record for the accused man.

A hospital consultant could find no reason why an illiterate prisoner due to defend himself at a murder trial fainted and cut his head in a cell, a court has heard.

Ireland’s emergency department overcrowding crisis could be significantly reduced if James Reilly, the health minister, ensured rules to make wards take extra patients in times of excessive trolley numbers were enforced.