SIPTU has intervened in a dispute between two private health companies which has threatened to close St Joseph's hospital in Raheny, Dublin. The dispute is over the amount of fees due to APS Ltd for laboratory services it has provided to the privately owned facility. Both the hospital and APS are owned by Saudi Arabian businessmen.
Yesterday, SIPTU official Ms Chris Rowland said that the union had intervened to avert the threatened closure of the hospital, with the loss of 150 jobs. She said she had unsuccessfully requested the intervention of Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Ms Harney, and the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern.