Liam Moran had sued the HSE claiming that there was a failure to diagnose that he was suffering from or likely to be suffering from renal cancer in a proper and timely manner.

In a statement on Sunday night, the health authority said most services will continue to operate as normal

Concern has been expressed about a rise in admissions in Ireland, with 869 in hospital with flu on Sunday compared to 530 a week previously.

Cavan General Hospital, in a letter read to the High Court, apologised for “the shortcomings in the care” of mother of four Mary Mulligan who it was claimed was not seen for six hours by an Emergency Department doctor

Lawyers for the HSE told the High Court that the woman, who is in her 70s, was not coping living alone in her rural home since her husband died.

The current ceilings and caps on recruitment were very restrictive, Phil Ní Sheaghdha told RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland. “The process of recruitment has become increasingly more difficult.”

The Irish Prison Service said it is working closely with the HSE and has secured extra naloxone kits