The Irish Medical Organisation, IMO, has called on the government "to acknowledge that the health service has been and continues to be grossly under-funded."
The IMO, which represents over 5,300 Consultants, General Practitioners, Non Consultant Hospital Doctors and Public Health Doctors said "committees and taskforce working groups will not solve the crisis."
Speaking at a press briefing today, IMO Chief Executive, Mr George McNeice described the health services as being "in stark contrast" to the national economic performance.
He said; "For years investment in the health services has been frozen, inadequately resourced and grossly under-funded. Until the Government acknowledges this, the health services will continue to decline."
IMO President, Dr Mick Molloy accused successive governments of re-iterating their commitment to the development of the health services but "the reality is that they continue to be under-funded."
Dr Molloy said also: "The continued failure to implement any recommendations from numerous reports has led to widespread disappointment and disillusionment for healthcare providers and patients alike."