Govt to unveil health plans today

The new Government health plans, described as the most radical reorganisation of the health service since the early 1970's, are due to be unveiled later today.

Yesterday, the cabinet gave its backing to the proposals which will see the abolition of the country's 11 health boards to be replaced with a new centralised authority.

Last night, Labour leader Pat Rabbitte slammed the Government's failure to deliver a top class health service.

He said: "Irish people have paid for a top class health service and this government has not delivered what they have paid for, it has delivered chaos, queues and closures."