There are calls this lunchtime for an inquiry into how 49,000 people are hidden from public figures on hospital waiting lists.

Health minister Simon Harris says he'll do everything he can to reduce waiting lists in the next year, and has also admitted the situation makes him feel ashamed.

It follows an RTE Investigates programme that found tens of thousands of patients aren't included on official waiting lists.

The National Treatment Purchase Fund says the figures are compiled using "international best practices".

It's after an RTE documentary last night discovered how official figures, released by the National Treatment Purchase Fund, do not include every patient waiting for a procedure.

Our political correspondent Gavan Reilly reports: