‘Vested interests’ opposed minister

JUNIOR Health Minister Tim O’Malley has revealed that “certain vested interests” tried to prevent his reappointment as minister with responsibility for mental health during September’s Cabinet reshuffle.

While declining to identify those involved, he said they were the same vested interests that resisted change and wanted to maintain the status quo for mental health services.

“A lot of people expected I would not be reappointed to that position. But I went to see the Taoiseach and asked to stay on because I am passionate about mental health,” the minister told delegates to the International Conference on Mental Health in UCC.