John Halligan puts talk of quitting Government on hold

Embattled junior minister John Halligan has put talk of resigning on hold but insists Health Minister Simon Harris will have no alternative but to agree to funding a second specialist cardiac lab for the South-East.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny tried to take the heat out of the standoff yesterday by calling on his ministers to knuckle down to work, ahead of budget preparations and Brexit negotiations.

However, the row over Mr Halligan’s demands for a second catheterisation lab at Waterford Hospital looks set to rumble on despite new Government commitments for staff at the hospital and a fresh review of cardiac care.