A top consultant has warned that banning consultants from working in St. Vincent's private could cause the hospital to close.

The Health Minister yesterday got involved in the row over publicly paid consultants working at the private unit in Dublin.

It follows criticism of the hospital by the Director General of the HSE, who claims he was misled by St. Vincent's over the extent of practice.

It's understood up to 80 consultants may be working for the private wing of St. Vincent's.

But hospital management says it sought legal advice and it is satisfied the consultants are working for one employer on one campus - and are not in breach of their contracts with the HSE.

But a consultant opthamologist who works in the Mater and the Mater Private says the issue is only receiving attention now - after a number of years - because the HSE has decided to tighten up the rules following fresh examination by the Public Accounts Committee.

Professor Michael O'Keefe has warned that banning the consultants from working in Vincent's private could cause its closure, since it is already struggling with a €220 million debt.

He has also caultioned that any consultants affected might have a basis to take legal action. He told Newstalk's Breakfast6 those affected should take a stand:

However, Minister James Reilly thinks otherwise:

Professor O'Keefe has also issued a reminder that a third of all consultant posts here remain unfilled as people seek work abroad.