The IMO said that the recruitment freeze breaches of agreement to reduce working hours signed by HSE just 12 months ago.

Dr Matt Sadlier, chairman of the Consultant Committee of the Irish Medical Organisation, has said that it was “worrying” that only 600 people had expressed an interest in g up to the new consultant contract with the HSE

University Hospital Limerick is the worst affected hospital today with 80 patients on trolleys.

The Irish Medical Organisation held its AGM in Kerry on Saturday

Dr Mick Molloy from the Irish Medical Organisation said patients facing long delays on waiting lists are using emergency departmentsas an entry-point for care

As the complaints of bullying in the HSE continue to rise, it's feared that the figures don't begin to show the true extent of the problem.

Dr Rachel McNamara made the comments at an Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) conference on gender equality in medicine on Saturday.

Dr McCauley said that a “politically induced health crisis is coming down the road."

General Practitioners nationwide received the letter by email on Friday evening just hours prior to them going on Christmas leave or starting emergency cover for the festive period.

Proposed new laws would allow pubs open from 10.30am to 12.30am, seven days a week, while nightclubs could open until 6am.

Dr Denis McCauley from the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) said Covid numbers from the latest wave of infections seem to have peaked