Fianna Fáil health spokesman Billy Kelleher has called on the health minister to make a statement following claims he had planned to renege on a commitment to provide €35m for mental health ever year.

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin has confirmed that compulsory redundancies are not part of the proposed deal on an extension to the Croke Park agreement.

Health Minister James Reilly says patients should not suffer as a result of staff exiting the health service.