Junior doctors at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin have said they will take industrial action unless the hospital withdraws a threat to restrict overtime pay because of health cuts.
Health unions will attend a hearing today at the Labour Relations Commission on the staff recruitment freeze imposed by the Health Service Executive.
The Irish Medical Organisation says it is outraged at the plans to limit future pay covering medical emergencies because of budget pressures.
It claims the move will reduce medical cover for patients, placing them in jeopardy, and has questioned how services can be maintained. It says Taoiseach Bertie Ahern promised that the HSE cutbacks would not extend to frontline staff.
Beaumont Hospital has a budget shortfall of around €16m. It has said the measures will not affect patient care.
