Reilly demands SF repeat corruption allegations

Health Minister James Reilly has demanded Sinn Féin repeat allegations of corruption against him outside the legal protection of the Dáil.

Sinn Féin’s deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald sparked uproar among TDs when she levelled the charge in relation to the way primary care sites were selected by the minister.

Ms McDonald alleged that Dr Reilly had engaged in “sharp, corrupt practices” by including a site in Balbriggan in his Dublin North constituency to the shortlist of centres.

Dr Reilly shouted from the Government benches that Ms McDonald should repeat the allegations outside the protection of Dáil privilege after she claimed documents released under freedom of information showed that “considerable financial advantage” had been conferred on the owner and the developer involved.

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore then turned his fire on Sinn Féin as he replied for the Government in leader’s questions, saying: “You have a neck. Sinn Féin — you know, so much illegal activity. How many bodies are buried on this island because of Sinn Féin?”

The Tánaiste said Ms McDonald was “taking orders” from Belfast, a remark she called “disgraceful”.

Dr Reilly has been dogged by controversy over the primary care issue after two sites in his constituency leapt up the rankings to make it onto the final short-list of 35 potential centres.

Opposition TDs have insisted that Dr Reilly has failed to explain the criteria for such a sudden advance for the two sites.

Roisín Shortall accused Dr Reilly of engaging in “stroke politics” when she resigned as junior health minister over the issue in September.

Fellow FG minister Leo Varadkar said he could understand why the inclusion of the two sites in Dr Reilly’s constituency could look like stroke politics to some people. The two sites in Dr Reilly’s constituency were only added to the shortlist the night before it was announced.