The leader of the State's junior hospital doctors said yesterday that difficulties with the EU working-time directive could result in patient services being cut later this year.
Dr Asim Ishtiaq, chairman of the Irish Medical Organisation's non-consultant hospital doctors' committee, said he was concerned that certain surgical specialities with both a high workload and low numbers of doctors in training and consultants would be unable to meet the August 1st deadline for the implementation of a 58-hour working week.
But he welcomed the statement by the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, that 60 per cent compliance with the EU directive could be achieved.
Earlier, the Minister warned that the August deadline for the introduction of reduced working hours for junior doctors must and would be met.
Speaking at the IMO's a.g.m. in Killarney, the Minister said that, despite difficulties, he expected no postponement of the directive.