Updated 1.25pm

THE BOARD OF the HSE will stand down after members offered their resignations to the minister for health James Reilly today. The minister in turn says he will now abolish the organisation’s board structure by the end of the year.

An interim board is to be put in to place which will consist of HSE executives and department of health officials. It will be chaired by outgoing chairman Frank Dolphin.

Earlier it was reported that Dr Reilly, who does not have the power to sack the board, was expected to ask that the 12 board members tender their resignations at the meeting this afternoon.

Dr Reilly sought advice from the Attorney General on the issue and said this afternoon that a new corporate governance structure would be put in place once the board is abolished by the end of the year.

The minister claimed that this will make the health service more directly accountable to his office.

Praising the outgoing board Dr Reilly commended them ”for the leadership they have shown in facilitating this change agenda” and said the decision was “not a reflection on them either personally or professionally.”

The HSE have yet to comment on the latest developments this afternoon.

It’s not clear whether or not the the executive knew that Reilly was to seek the board’s resignation. When contacted by TheJournal.ie this morning a spokesperson was not aware of the initial report of the story on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland and added:

Until we hear something from the minister we won’t be commenting on it.

Reports carried by media outlets are not official enough for me to comment. Otherwise we will be working off speculation by media.

We’ll need to get an official comment from minister or direction from minister before we comment.