Ireland may face €100m fine over junior doctors' working hours

Ireland could be facing fines of €100m over the working hours of junior doctors.

An EU directive means they should not work more than 48 hours a week, but representative body the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) said many still work in excess of 70 hours.

Some junior doctors work more than 100 hours in a week.

The EC took a case against Ireland to the European Court of Justice last week on the issue. The ruling will be known in late June.

The Sunday Times reports that if we are found to be in breach of the directive, Ireland could be fined more than €100m.

It's understood representatives of the HSE and Department of Health will meet EU officials on Wednesday to outline the latest plan to bring down the working hours.