John Halligan seeks hospital deal for sout-east

Waterford Independent TD John Halligan has said he needs a deal on cardiac care for the south-east or he will not back a Fine Gael minority government.

Mr Halligan said that, should he decide not to enter government, he will not stand in the way of the other five members of the Independent Alliance from signing up to a deal.

Several members of the alliance, speaking to the Irish Examiner, insisted they will not simply be rubber-stamping the deal agreed between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil last Friday.