Don’t attack me,Varadkar urges health lobby

Just weeks into his new role as Health Minister Leo Varadkar has urged lobby groups not to "attack and weaken" him because it could hinder efforts to protect his department’s budget.

He was speaking after groups representing sick children and their families questioned his “personal commitment” to fix the medical card system, and sought an urgent meeting with him to discuss what appeared to be a shift in policy on the issue.

Mr Varadkar said last night that “no promises or commitments” can be given until a report is produced in September by an expert panel, examining how the Government should proceed with promised new laws to award medical cards based on medical need.