Taoiseach: Half of tax going into healthcare

THE Taoiseach strongly defended the health service yesterday at the opening of an €85 million cardiac renal centre in Cork.

Brian Cowen said the massive extension to Cork University Hospital (CUH) is a perfect example of how the public service can be reformed under the Croke Park deal.

But he declined to outline how the feared €1 billion cut in the health budget in December will affect frontline services.