Dempsey response on Navan Hospital cuts a 'red herring': FG

Fine Gael has accused Minister Noel Dempsey of trying to undermine this afternoon's protest march against cuts at Navan Hospital.

It follows a radio interview in which Noel Dempsey claimed the matter was being addressed at Oireachtas level - described by Fine Gael as "a complete red herring".

Around 5,000 people are expected to take to the streets in Co Meath this afternoon in a bid to have closed services at Navan Hospital reinstated.

In the last two months, the hospital has seen the closure of all acute surgery, as well as 28 beds.

The Orthopaedic Unit is also set to close in December for a number of months.

Cllr Peadar Tobin, deputy mayor of Navan, is chairman of 'Save the Navan Hospital Campaign'.

He said: "We in Meath are drawing a line in the sand…The people of Meath will not be an easy target for cuts in the future."