It has been reported that the Government is planning to pull lawsuit cover for around 1,300 hospital consultants within days, because it believes the cost of public and private insurance cover is too high.
According to the website irishhealth.com, the Health Minister, Mícheal Martin, is planning to tell medical organisations about the plan at separate meetings tonight.
It says Irish consultants are currently insured against claims by patients by two UK bodies, and the Government pays most of the cost on behalf of the taxpayer.
Under the new system called 'enterprise liability', all consultants would be insured by the State.
Doctors are expected to oppose the changes.
