The Health Service Executive has said it is seeking agreement with health unions to extend the core working day from 8am to 8pm.
The HSE says this could yield pay savings of around €37m and ensure a more efficient service.
Earlier, the Irish Hospital Consultants' Association said that 'sick people must come before sick banks' and the health system must be the priority of Government above any other call on public spending.
Addressing the organisation's annual conference in Cavan today, IHCA President Dr Paul Oslizlok claimed the health service was already at breaking point and he said that any further cuts would tip it over the edge.
Hospital consultants are urging the Government to protect frontline patients’ services from budget cuts, despite the difficult economic situation.
Dr Oslizlok said that consultants were now working longer days and longer weeks and that other front line services needed to do the same.
The conference also heard there are 900 beds occupied by people who do not need to be in hospital, due to a shortage of step-down facilities.
Consultants say it is the same number of beds in the whole of St James's Hospital in Dublin.
In response the HSE said it was tackling the issue as a priority.
Dr Barry White, HSE national director of clinical care, said that 500 extra long term care beds would be provided in the next three months.
He also said the executive wanted to develop the capacity to manage more patients in the community.
