'Martin made the country smokeless overnight. Why can't he save Billy?'

AN ANGUISHED family last night begged Health Minister Mícheál Martin to cut the red tape that is denying their son a chance to live.

But while Mr Martin insisted he was doing his best for 29-year-old Billy Burke, health officials and hospital representatives who met to consider his case ended their discussions without making any decision on his future.

Billy, who urgently needs a lung transplant operation, fears official inaction will kill him as he waits for resolution of the contractual row that has already been sapping his strength for an agonising 14 months.