Cabinet meeting hears it would 'cost too much' to sack HSE boss

Three women out of 10 who had taken cases against the State in circumstances similar to Vicky Phelan have died, it emerged yesterday.

The news comes amid a “stormy” Cabinet meeting yesterday at which ministers called for HSE director general Tony O’Brien to be sacked, only to be told it would “cost too much”.

Finian McGrath, Michael Ring, and Katherine Zappone said Mr O’Brien should depart from his post as he no longer commands public confidence.