Martin under fire over illegal health charge claims

FORMER Health Minister Michael Martin found himself at the centre of a political storm last night, with questions as to when he became aware that charges to long-stay patients were illegal.

Mr Martin was forced to publicly defend himself against opposition charges of incompetence and inaction.

It followed the release of an internal Department of Health document stating that he and his two Junior Health Ministers were present at a high-level meeting last December, when the matter was discussed.