Ministers defend upgrades to hospitals

Ministers have defended planned upgrades to hospitals in their constituencies which have been fast tracked by colleague James Reilly, the health minister.

Phil Hogan, the environment minister, yesterday said he had no problem making representations to his cabinet colleague over the future of St Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny, which is in his constituency.

His comments came after weekend revelations that Dr Reilly approved the upgrading of another facility, Wexford General Hospital, despite the fact it was not a priority in the HSE’s capital plan.