Labour leader to visit Mater Hospital

Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte is due to visit the Mater Hospital in Dublin today to meet with patients and staff and assess the effects of recent Government cutbacks in the health service.

Mr Rabbitte, who will be accompanied by Labour TDs Liz McManus and Joe Costello, is also due to discuss the current financial situation at the hospital with its chief executive Martin Cowley.

The Mater announced 150 bed closures earlier this year due to strict spending limits imposed by the Government.

The hospital also cut 160 jobs due to budgetary constraints.