Ahern’s EU-wide doctor crisis denied

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern’s claim that difficulties in cutting junior hospital doctors’ working hours are being experienced “all over Europe” has been dismissed by an EU employment expert.

Antonia Mochan, European Commission spokeswoman for Employment and Social Affairs, said other member states are not experiencing anything like the Irish problems in implementing the European Working Time Directive (EWTD).

The EWTD, due to begin on August 1, will cut junior doctors’ hours from an average of 75 to 58 per week.