Sinn Féin to join FF in Reilly 'no confidence' motion

Sinn Féin health spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD has announced that the party will table a motion of no confidence in Health Minister James Reilly on the resumption of the Dáil.

Earlier today Fianna Fáil announced they would also be tabling a similar motion after the HSE last week announced cuts of €130m within the service.

“Health Minister James Reilly is plunging the health services into deep crisis with the savage cuts now being imposed," Ó Caoláin said.

“Minister Reilly has made great play of his changes to the HSE, claiming that they will mean more direct responsibility and management by the Minister. Yet Minister Reilly left it to the HSE to announce the latest harsh cuts and he had to be shamed out of hiding to answer the wave of justified criticism."

The move, when the Dáil returns in two weeks time, is expected to force disgruntled Labour backbenchers to obey the whip and support Reilly.

Labour's Jan O'Sullivan, however, says there are 'no knives' out for the Health Minister and that the Cabinet has a good working relationship.

"There are no knives. This about two mature parties talking to each other. We will continue these discussions and the cabinet will work together.

"We all have to work together on these issues, Minister Reilly is very experienced and committed to reforming the health service. There are very difficult decisions to be made at the moment."