Martin 'playing parochial politics' - Fine Gael

Fine Gael has accused the Minister for Health of 'playing parochial politics' in his appointments to the Irish Medicines Board.

The party's health spokesman Gay Mitchell said that at least one third of those appointed to the board yesterday come from Cork, the Minister's home constituency.

This follows the packing of the Blood Transfusion Service board with Cork people, he added.

Deputy Mitchell said the announcement indicated that Minister Martin cannot be trusted to exercise his powers with impartiality.