Cabinet to discuss health reform proposals

The Cabinet is due to meet today to discuss proposals to abolish Ireland's 11 health boards and replace them with four new bodies.

The move is part of radical proposals for reforming the health service to make it more efficient.

Under the plans, local politicians and political appointees would lose their prestigious health board seats without compensation.

The health boards would be replaced with four executive bodies staffed by experts, while a new agency would also be set up to run Ireland's hospitals.