FF calls on Quinn to clarify position on Reilly

Fianna Fáil has accused the Education Minister of hypocrisy in relation to his views on the health minister James Reilly.

It follows newspaper reports yesterday suggesting that Ruairi Quinn confided to a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party that Minister Reilly was "not up to the job".

Fianna Fail has said it is misleading for Minister Quinn to back James Reilly publicly and make the opposite statement behind closed doors.

But a spokesperson for Minister Quinn said he had expressed confidence in James Reilly in the past week, and there was no reason to believe his position had changed.

Fianna Fáil's Billy Kelleher said Minister Quinn's position should be clarified.

"I think he has an obligation to be honest with the Irish people," he said. "We want him to make a statement to clarify his position and outline exactly what he said to the parliamentary party."