Kenny slams 'outrageous' claim that health cuts endanger lives

The Taoiseach Enda Kenn has said a claim from a senior Limerick doctor that health service cuts could cost lives is "outrageous".

Gerry Burke, a Consultant Obstetrician at the Mid-Western Maternity Hospital, is warning that mothers and babies may die due to a fall in the number of midwives.

Doctor Burke, who is also the Chairman of the Labour Party in Limerick, said yesterday the Health Service Executive has no plans to deal with the departure of 47 of the hospital's 200 midwives.

The staff are to retire by the end of February under the HSE's retirement scheme before changes to public sector pensions take affect.

However, Mr Kenny said the HSE has a contingency plan, but is awaiting the final numbers of people retiring before implementing it.

The Taoiseach said: "I thought the comments made by doctor Burke were outrageous.

"To equate the legitimate leaving of the health services under the programme, by staff who wish to leave, with an attack on babies and pregnant mothers with a view to paying German banks is beyond the norm for a medical person of his stature to do so."