Doctors warn of strike in September

Junior doctors have warned the HSE they will be forced to take strike action from as soon as Sept 17 unless drastic steps are made to reduce their excessive working hours.

Irish Medical Organisation officials underlined the position yesterday before crunch talks with health service management over the stand-off which take place tomorrow.

While the possibility remains of a resolution to the long-running dispute — which relates to the repeated breaking of EU rules over how long doctors can work — the lack of progress to date means it is far more likely medics will down tools over the issue.