Taoiseach: Reilly has Govt's 'absolute backing', different view from Labour politicians

The Taoiseach has said embattled Health Minster James Reilly has the "absolute backing" of the Government, but a number of Labour Party politicians said Mr Reilly's position was untenable.

Mr Reilly faces a grilling this afternoon in the Dáil after fresh claims that one of two sites he added to a list of priority primary care centres is owned by a political contact of his.

Earlier, Mr Reilly said: “Any contention that there’s anything remotely inappropriate about this is utterly wrong.”

Speaking in Brussels, Enda Kenny said the Minister had his support and that of the Government in getting on with the job of health service reform.

"The Government have given absolute backing to Minister Reilly," he said. "He now has a changed and formidable team in the health area, having to implement a massive structural series of changes to deliver universal health insurance and an effective and efficient health system for all our people."

However, a number of Labour party figures say James Reilly should no longer be the Minister for Health.

Ireland South MEP Phil Prendergast has used her twitter account to say Doctor Reilly should consider his position.

I think Minister Reilly should consider his position. This is the sort of politics that has brought us to ruin.

— Phil Prendergast (@PhPrendergast) October 3, 2012

Meanwhile, Ireland East MEP Nessa Childers said the revelation in today's Irish Independent means Minister Reilly's position is untenable, while Dublin councillor and Mayor of Fingal County Council Cian O'Callaghan said Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore must insist on Doctor Reilly's resignation.