None of us perfect, says Kenny in defence of embattled Reilly

The Taoiseach last night moved to defend embattled Health Minister James Reilly from renewed accusations of “stoke politics” during heated Dáil exchanges.

As the opposition unleashed a barrage of complaints over Dr Reilly’s handling of a range of controversies, Enda Kenny declared: “I am not saying we are all perfect.”

However, Mr Kenny insisted Dr Reilly’s understanding of “medical politics” meant he should remain in his post.

Dr Reilly’s fitness for office featured on the political agenda again after it was revealed that two sites in his own constituency were added to a 35-strong shortlist for primary care centres just hours before the major investment announcement was made public.

Opposition parties have tabled a no confidence motion in Dr Reilly — which under Dáil rules cannot be debated until the spring — and demanded his resignation.

Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald said Dr Reilly should be removed from office due to a “disastrous” record.

“The minister unilaterally added new locations in his constituency to the primary care centre list the evening before the announcement was made,” said Ms McDonald. “For the past 18 months, the minister has had a track record of unmitigated disaster. He closed public nursing homes while being up to his neck in the private nursing sector. He promised he would make savings in the areas of consultant contracts and generic drugs, and would recoup costs for private beds in public hospitals.

“Worse, he has imposed savage cuts on the most vulnerable in society.

“I am saying, very clearly, that we have in James Reilly a minister for health whose strategy is failing.”

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said it was unacceptable that junior health minister Róisín Shortall had resigned because she worked “diligently” and Dr Reilly remained in place despite presiding over a “shambolic and chaotic decision-making process”.