It's after a review found that a high-tech cardiac unit could be moved from Waterford University Hospital to Cork.
The review was demanded by junior minister John Halligan – who had expected it to support expanding the unit to give 24-hour service.
Halligan has said he may now have no choice but to resign from the minority government over the refusal to sanction 24 hour services.
Fine Gael and the Independent Alliance are to hold an emergency meeting later today to discuss the situation.
