Harney under fire over Super Bowl attendance

The Minister for Health Mary Harney is coming under fire for attending the Super Bowl during a fact-finding mission in the US.

The minister missed a Dáil debate on health services last night because of her trip across the Atlantic to examine cancer and dentistry facilities.

Last night, Fine Gael criticised her attendance at the Super Bowl in Arizona on Sunday night, saying it only emphasises his view that she is not engaging with her job.

The Department of Health says the Super Bowl was not an official part of the trip.