A West Cork TD has hit out the decision to close seven mental health beds at Bantry General Hospital.
Deputy Michael Collins was speaking in the Dáil after the Mental Health Commission instructed the HSE to reduce the number of people who can be treated at the unit from 18 to 11.
A report by the commission found that the building on the grounds of the hospital was not fit for purpose following several inspections.
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An investigation has been launched by Gardai into the circumstances which led to an infant receiving critical injuries in Co Louth.
Gardaí opened the investigation after a baby was admitted to hospital with serious injuries.
It is understood the infant, who is believed to be a nine-week-old girl, was injured in the Drogheda area and was taken to Temple Street Children's Hospital on Tuesday.
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Sinn Féin has called for private healthcare to be phased out of public hospitals over ten years in its alternative health budget.
The party says it would increase the Department of Health's budget by 1.1 billion euro next year if in Government.
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Probationer firefighters from Anglesea Street will be pushing a vintage fire engine through the city later today to raise money for the Mercy Hospital.
The crew will be pushing the engine from the east end of Oliver Plunkett street to the Mercy between 10am and 3pm.
Almost €2,000 has already been raised for the hospital's Paediatric Oncology Outreach Nursing Service since the start of the month.
