Govt defends health spending commitments

The Government has defended its spending commitments in the area of health following yesterday's revelations of a funding crisis at Dublin's Beaumont Hospital.

Speaking in the Dail today, Labour Party spokesperson Liz McManus accused the Fianna Fail-Progressive Democrats coalition of failing to protect vulnerable hospital patients.

However, Defence Minister Michael Smith said Ms McManus's own party was in government when the decision was taken to introduce laws requiring health boards not to exceed their budgets.