Shortall speech 'put Health Minister on notice', says FF

Junior Health Minister Roisin Shortall voted confidence in Minister James Reilly last night - though she did not state her confidence in him in her Dáil speech.

During her four-minute speech, Minister Shortall never mentioned Minister Reilly, instead highlighting a number of failings in the health service.

"The lack of priority afforded to producing the free GP care legislation has been very disappointing," she said.

"We must also have a clear road map that charts the way forward and ends the uncertainty about the future."

Minister Reilly secured the confidence of the Dáil by 99 votes to 50.

Fianna Fáil's Billy Kelleher was quick to note the omission in Minister Shortall's speech, however.

"It wasn't a statement," he said. "It was an open letter to you, Minister [Reilly].

"And she was putting you on notice.

"She didn't refer to you once, but she highlighted the failings of you, the Department, and the HSE in dealing with the budget overload."