Patients looks set to bear the brunt of deepening cuts in the health service.

Yesterday the HSE revealed that it is facing a budget over-run of more than €200 million.

Its also admitted it will not be able to generate the €60 million it had originally factored in for this year.

Today it was reported that projected savings under the Haddington Road deal will fall nearly €50 million short of targets.

Charles Normand from Trinity College says radical action is what's needed here.