Bruton: taxpayers come before consultants pay

It follows reports the state could be hit with a €700 million bill after the Health Service Executive withdrew its defence on an appeal of a case taken by doctors. 

They had won an Employment Appeals Tribunal case that their salary arrangements were violated when the Government withheld a pay increase during the financial crisis. 

Taking Leaders Questions in the Dail today Minister Richard Bruton said the government will always defend the taxpayer in these cases.