Taoiseach to meet HSE head

The Taoiseach Enda Kenny will meet with the head of the HSE at Government buildings this morning.

It comes after Cathal Magee announced his decision to step down from the job earlier this week.

On Wednesday, HSE chief executive Cathal Magee said he would be stepping down from the job because of changes being made to the health service by the Health Minister James Reilly.

Dr Reilly announced a new structure for the HSE this week, designed to give him more control over the organisation.

It will see seven new directors appointed to manage specific areas of the service, before the abolition of the HSE by 2014.

Yesterday, the Taoiseach was forced to deny there was any rift between Coalition ministers, after the Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore revealed he heard about Mr Magee's decision to step down through the media, something Mr Gilmore said was "regrettable".

Mr Kenny will meet with the HSE boss to discuss the matter later this morning.