Minister not being targeted, says O’Sullivan

There are “no knives” out for embattled Health Minister James Reilly, insisted a Labour Party Cabinet colleague last night, as opposition parties moved to try and oust him.

Housing Minister Jan O’Sullivan tried to ease tensions in the Coalition as she warned Labour TDs the country was in no mood for a snap general election, and that the Government had no choice but to work its way through troubled times.

With the Cabinet set to publicly stand over the controversial €130m package of health cuts — including a €30m raid on frontline services such as home-help hours — Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil warned they planned to lay a motion of no confidence in Dr Reilly when the Dáil returns in two weeks time.