Government 'lying about health service'

Rowdy scenes erupted in the Dáil this morning, with Labour deputy leader Brendan Howlin accusing the government of lying to the Opposition.

Deputy Howlin said vital information regarding the state of the health service is being withheld from the House.

The Dáil has been debating a Labour Private Members Bill on the health service for the past two nights.

This morning a report was published in the media of a briefing document from the Dept of Health.

The document had been presented to the recent Cabinet meeting in Louth, and said a cash injection of £2bn a year is needed in the service.

However, this information was not given to the Dáil during the debate.

Health Minister Micheal Martin has denied the Opposition allegations.