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.