Further review of cardiac services at Waterford hospital may resuscitate coalition

The Government has agreed to a further review of cardiac services in Waterford and avoided a break-up of the Coalition after a junior minister’s threat to quit.

A dispute over increasing cardiac care at the hospital this week saw Mr Halligan threatening to go, after a clinical review ruled out recommending a second lab.

Crisis talks between the Independent Alliance minister and Health Minister Simon Harris broke up on Wednesday. Amid increased warnings from the TD that he would quit, the review of cardiac care was published. It found a second lab was not justified as activity at the hospital was appropriate for the catchment population.