Ministers fail to express confidence in Holohan

Two Government ministers have failed to express confidence in Department of Health chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan after he admitted last week he knew about the damning HSE cervical cancer memos in 2016.

Education Minister Richard Bruton and Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone declined to back Dr Holohan a number of times yesterday, saying they want to wait until the Government’s scoping review is complete before passing “judgment”.

Last Thursday, Dr Holohan confirmed to the Dáil Public Accounts Committee he was aware of the 2016 HSE memos which ultimately led to ex-HSE director general Tony O’Brien’s departure.