O’Keeffe criticises government handling of crisis

FRESH cracks appeared in government ranks over the medical cards crisis last night as Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe criticised the government’s handling of the controversy.

The minister waded into the political minefield as he took control of one of Ireland’s biggest trade delegations as Taoiseach Brian Cowen delayed his visit to China in order to quell a rebellion at home.

Mr O’Keeffe admitted the cabinet had failed to explain its objectives to voters, though he refused to concede the policy was wrong.