O'Sullivan calls for Labour Party to unite behind Tánaiste

Minister for Housing Jan O'Sullivan has backed calls by the Labour Chairman Colm Keaveney for unity within the party.

It follows weeks of controversy around Health Minister Dr James Reilly regarding his role in selecting primary care centres and their locations.

Minister Reilly has been forced to clarify his involvement in the selection of a site in his own constituency and his relationship with the owner, who is a Fine Gael supporter.

Yesterday, the Tánaiste and Labour leader Eamon Gilmore met with Minister Reilly and the HSE. Afterwards, he told the Dáil he was assured there was no ministerial involvement in the selection of the site.

Housing O'Sullivan said that she is satisfied with his explanation.

"It was quite clear from what Eamon Gilmore said that he met with the head of the HSE and the department secretary-general along with Minister Reilly, and they made it clear to him that Minister Reilly was not involved in the selection of the sites," she said.

"So I think we have to be very satisfied with that explanation."