Reilly stops short of calling for Lowry resignation

Fine Gael's deputy leader, Health Minister Dr James Reilly, has today refused to state if the former Minister Michael Lowry should consider his position in the Dáil.

Fine Gael's deputy leader, Health Minister Dr James Reilly, has today refused to state if former Minister Michael Lowry should consider his position in the Dáil.

Tánaiste and Labour leader Eamon Gilmore announced yesterday that the Independent TD from Tipperary should consider resigning.

Mr Lowry has under fire after Mr Justice Michael Moriarty made damning findings against him, but stopped short of accusing him of corruption.

Minister Reilly is now claiming the fact the report is to be sent to the Gardaí prevents him from making a comment.

"The matter was raised in the Dáil yesterday, it’s going to be debated fully next week, and I look forward to participating in that," he said.

"In the interim, the matter has been referred to the DPP and the gardaí, and I think until we hear something back from them I better not say much more than that, there’s legal considerations.

"We’ll have a full debate next week, and we’ll be in a better position to comment then."