Opposition to oppose 'rushed' emergency health legislation

The Opposition has said that it will strongly oppose health legislation expected to be rushed through the Dáil next week in an effort to avert a constitutional crisis.

Fine Gael and Labour have claimed that it is not necessary to make the changes before politicians break for Christmas.

However, the Minister for Health Mary Harney fears that loopholes in current legislation could leave the State open to legal challenges to her plans, including those for co-location and for the National Children's Hospital.

It is thought that reviews of the current legislation by the Attorney General Paul Gallagher indicated there may be no legal basis for up to 19 key health bodies set up since the 1960s.

Fine Gael Health spokesman Dr James Reilly said the Attorney General's advice should be published and the Government should allow a full debate.