HSE 'knew of possible deficit' in April

The Director of Industrial Relations with the Irish Medical Organisation Fintan Hourihan has said that the Health Service Executive knew a possible deficit in its annual budget since April, but only informed the IMO in early September

The revelation is expected to cause deep anger among members of the public who believe the financial crisis with the agency only occurred recently.

Mr Hourihan also said that management at Beaumont Hospital had told the organisation that they would not engage in any action until a further meeting was held with them, but before that meeting took place, the cutbacks were implemented.

The Irish Medical Organisation, which represents the doctors, says the move flies in the face of a national agreement brokered by the Labour Relations Commission in 2002.

That deal stated that hospitals would not interfere unilaterally with rosters and emergency on-call cover for NCHDs.