The President of the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) says "political interference" is harming doctors' ability to properly treat patients. The comments from Dr. Matthew Sadlier came on the opening day of the union AGM in Kildare this morning.
He singled out proposals for free GP care for children under 6, the "dangerously long hours" worked by junior doctors and plans for Universal Health Insurance.
Dr. Sadlier said the interference is already having an effect on vulnerable patients.
He says prescription charges are already forcing disadvantaged medical card holders to stop taking vital medicine, and he says politicians have failed patients in recent years.
The IMO doctors union has also launched a scathing attack on plans for Universal Health Insurance.
Dr. Sadlier says schemes like Free GP care for Under-6s are an example of politicians focusing on 'short-term vote gathering' over improving the Irish healthcare system.
Meanwhile a motion calling for an end to water fluoridation here was overwhelmingly rejected at the conference.
Motion calling for end to water #fluoridation overwhelmingly rejected by Ireland's representative body for doctors. #IMOAGM14
— Irish Dental Associ (@IrishDentists) April 25, 2014
