LRC hearing on Emergency Department crowding

The overcrowding in the Emergency Department at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda is the subject of an Labour Relations Commission hearing this afternoon.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation says the emergency Department at the hospital is one of the most overcrowded in the country, with some elderly patients spending 4 or 5 days on trolleys.

The issue has been before the Labour Relations Commission last November, when it was agreed that more beds would be opened.

The commitment led to the INMO deferring industrial action at Our Lady of Lourdes.

Banking Inquiry

The Oireachtas Banking Inquiry is due to hear about the context for the banking crisis in Ireland when it meets this morning.

It is being addressed by Professor John Fitzgerald, a research affiliate at the ESRI.

He will explain issues relating to the international, EU and domestic policy context for the banking crisis.

Professor Fitzgerald will also be asked about credit growth from the late 1990s onwards, the housing market, the growing construction sector and fiscal policy prior to the crisis.

Greece to outline debt deal plan

The Greek Finance Minister is expected to outline Athens demand for a new debt deal to his EU counterparts today.

Yanis Varoufakis wants to secure a deal which would help ease austerity measures in place since 2010.