Simon Harris: Medics should cancel Christmas holidays

Comments a diversion from lack of winter plan, say unions

The health minister has waded into the row over medics’ Christmas leave, saying the Taoiseach was right to call on hospital staff to cancel holidays over the festive period.

As the war of words escalated, Simon Harris said Leo Varadkar was “entirely correct”. However, he shifted responsibility for implementing the measure to the HSE, saying: “Hospital management is charged with ensuring this takes place”.