Health Minister Simon Harris has asked the HSE to conduct an “evidence-gathering” exercise with state-funded organisations providing health and social care to establish a factual position on pay reductions and pay restoration.

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.

FINE Gael health spokesman James Reilly has stated he believes some patients are placed on expensive medicines due to deals between hospitals and pharmaceutical companies.

The recent deaths of four people from bird flu in Turkey has not increased the risk of the disease spreading to Ireland, experts said today.