O’Reilly conflict of interest claim unfair

The fact that Dr James Reilly is in breach of a High Court judgment is, unquestionably, a serious issue.

However, the imputation that a conflict of interest exists due to the overlap between his professional interests and his portfolio is grossly unfair to Dr Reilly.

Prior to his appointment, five other GPs held the office of Minister for Health, namely James Ryan, Noel Browne, Rory O’Hanlon, and John O’Connell.

All of these men owned or part-owned their own medical practice, so why is Dr Reilly the first holder of the office to face such accusations?

Are all politicians now to be excluded from holding office in an area in which they made a living before entering politics?

At least six farmers were appointed as minister for agriculture under recent Fianna Fáil governments. Three lawyers held the justice portfolio in Mr Cowen’s government alone.

I don’t recall Fianna Fáil calling for them to divest themselves of their farms or legal practices.

Thomas Ryan

18 Mount Tallant Avenue

Harolds Cross

Dublin 6W