The Health Minister Leo Varadkar says the Ceann Comhairle Sean Barrett should not withdraw his remarks in which he accused the Opposition of trying to undermine him.

The Health Minister Leo Varadkar says he expects to eliminate those waiting for a long time for in-patient and day case procedures by the end of the year.

The Health Minister has confirmed that the ban on gay men donating blood is under review.

The Health Minister said today that although he lacks the financial resources of tobacco companies, he "has something much more powerful - the moral authority of the Irish people".

The Health Minister has said that the only people who will suffer if junior doctors strike is the patients.

The Health Minister James Reilly has revealed his father and brother died from smoking-related illness as Ireland becomes only the second country to clamp down on tobacco marketing.

The Health Minister has said he stands over his decision to add two locations in his constituency to a list of places chosen for primay care centres after the final list had been drawn up by the HSE.

The Health Minister Dr James Reilly has said he wants the use of trollies to treat patients in corridors phased out by the end of the year.

The Health Minister, Dr James Reilly, has said that the fact that nobody was accountable for patients who were left lying on trolleys in corridors for long periods in Tallaght Hospital is "completely unacceptable".

The Health Minister has said that if there is increased productivity in the health service - there will be no pay cuts.

The Health Minister James Reilly has said that other motorists should step in to stop drivers smoking in cars with children if the ban is introduced.

The Health Minister James Reilly has said the Government is prepared for the predicted increase in cancer rates.

The Health Minister Dr James Reilly has approved and signed regulations compelling tobacco companies to include graphic photographs on their products here.

The Health Minister, Dr James Reilly, is dismissing reports that the Director of the National Office for Suicide Prevention quit his post due to a lack of resources.

The Health Minister James Reilly has said if HIQA raises concerns that services are unsafe in certain hospitals it will not automatically mean those services are withdrawn.

Contrary to earlier reports today, The Health Minister James Reilly has confirmed this evening that the closure of the A&E Department at Roscommon County Hospital, will go ahead, as planned this Monday.

The Health Minister Mary Harney has said the possibility of using St Luke's Hospital in Dublin to provide palliative care is being looked at.

The Health Minister said today that the Government will not be carrying out an inquiry into the practice of symphysiotomy.

The Health Minister is urging pregnant women to avail of the swine flu vaccine following the latest deaths from the virus this week.

The Health Minister says the facts about the Roscommon abuse case must be established before action is taken.

The Health Minister has said she will meet the husband of a woman who died of breast cancer this year. The woman had been given the all-clear on two separate occasions before she died.

The Health Minister Mary Harney has told doctors that the health system needs to move away from a culture of blame.

The Health Minister says salary demands from hospital consultants will not be paid out by the State.

HEALTH Minister Micheál Martin has given the strongest indication yet that he would like to be moved in the Cabinet reshuffle this September.

The Health Minister has been accused of making the announcement of price increases in the health sector in a sneaky manner on Friday night.