Opposition parties will seek to up the pressure on Health Minister James Reilly in the Dáil today – after the resignation of his Junior Minister Roisín Shortall last night.
She quit her post, and resigned from the Labour party, citing a lack of support for the reforms pledged in the programme for government.
However Party chairman Colm Keaveney insists Ms Shortall had the full support of party leader and Tainaiste Eamon Gilmore –
Difficulties between Minister Shortall and the Minister for Health emerged in recent weeks – and they came to a head last week, after it emerged Minister Reilly added two locations in his own constituency to a list of primary care centres.
Fianna Fáil’s spokesperson on Health Billy Kelleher says Minister Shortall had concerns about a number of issues.