The Health Minister is denying the first stage of free GP care will be delayed for a year or that it will delay the measure being extended to everyone.

The measure for people with defined long-term illnesses such as epilepsy and diabetes was supposed to be in place by now.

But legal difficulties with defining the illnesses in law rather than means testing the measure has delayed it.

Minister James Reilly says the legislation will go through the Dáil in a matter of months:

“There’s no question that there’s been some delay, but we’re very much on track – and to suggest it’ll be a year hence before it happens is nonsense” he said.

“That’s definitely not going to be the case”.

“The Bill will allow me as Minister for Health now to be able to prescribe certain conditions on a statutory basis by way of statutory instrument into the future”.

“So it is very complex, it’s very difficult” he added.

Investigations are continuing into the deaths of 3 men in Co. Roscommon.

Their bodies were found after Gardaí responded to a call about smoke coming from a house at St Ciaran’s Park in the town at 7:30am this morning.

The men are believed to have been aged in their 20s or 30s.

Forensic tests will be carried out at the scene and post mortem examinations will take place to determine the men’s cause of death.

Representatives of hospitals consultants and the HSE have arrived for more talks at the Labour Relations Commission in Dublin.

The talks centre on new working arrangements including new roster patterns, earlier ward rounds and lower entry level pay for consultants.

The Health Minister says an agreement must be reached by Sunday night or else the matter will be referred to the Labour Court.

Barry O’Brien is the National Director of Human Resources at the HSE.

He says it is time for the consultants to deliver.

“I wouldn’t describe it as a gun to the head – I think there’s a frustration on everybody’s side with the lack of progress to date” he said.

“Every other sector in the Health Service has engaged positively, has delivered significant change”.

“And we’re looking for the same response from all the consultants who work for us” he added.

South Yorkshire Police could ask a police watchdog if those working during the Hillsborough tragedy should face manslaughter investigations.

Questions will also be raised about why a report which looked at the alteration of police statements was accepted.

96 fans died in the tragedy in 1989.

Prince William and Kate Middleton have maintained an outward calm despite a decision by a French magazine to publish topless pictures of the Duchess.

The couple is on a visit to Malaysia.

Newstalk’s Jack Quann has more.