Reilly denies using HSE money as ‘slush fund’

Embattled Health Minister James Reilly has denied he is using HSE money as a political “slush fund” to aid his Cabinet colleagues.

Dr Reilly accused Fianna Fáil of directing the allegation against him because that was the way they did business when they were previously in government.

As the row over Dr Reilly’s intervention to fast-track hospital projects in the constituencies of senior ministers Phil Hogan and Brendan Howlin continued to cause waves, it emerged the Cabinet did not address the issue.

Despite a clear indication from Education Minister Ruairi Quinn that he expected Dr Reilly to “explain” the situation to colleagues at yesterday’s meeting, the health minister did not raise it.

Dr Reilly and Mr Quinn discussed the matter briefly after the meeting and the education minister was “satisfied” by the exchange, his spokesperson said.

Mr Reilly told the HSE to accelerate projects at St Luke’s Hospital in Mr Hogan’s Kilkenny constituency and at Wexford General Hospital in Mr Howlin’s seat. The ministers announced the work before the HSE board became aware of the situation.

Under fire in the Dáil over the matter, Taoiseach Enda Kenny insisted the two hospital projects had been in progress since 2006.

Opposition TDs accused the Government of hypocrisy after Mr Kenny broke election pledges regarding Roscommon Hospital’s emergency department.

Fianna Fáil accused Dr Reilly of using HSE resources as a “political slush fund”.