Martin calls for Health Minister to resign

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin is calling on James Reilly to leave his post as Minister for Health.

Minister Reilly has come under scrutiny following the lack of clarity of cuts to health in last Tuesday's budget.

Deputy Martin was speaking at the annual Wolfe Tone Commemoration in Bodenstown, County Kildare.

He said Minister Reilly had lost control of his department following failure to clarify certain cuts from last Tuesday's budget, which he described as dishonest and lacking credibility.

However Sinn Féín President Gerry Adams said Deputy Martin's call for the health minister to resign misses the point.

"James Reilly is implementing government policy," Deputy Adams said.

"There is not a jot of difference between this policy and Fianna Fáil policy.

"Austerity is wrong no matter whether it is being imposed by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael or Labour or no matter who the minister is.

"So a change of government is needed alongside a change in policy, not just another health minister."

During today's speech the Fianna Fáil leader also accused the Government of abandoning the peace process.

And Taoiseach Enda Kenny is risking consequences worse than already feared unless he makes more of an effort to resolve a brewing crisis, warned Mr Martin.

Mr Martin said Dublin has failed to respond to a rise in sectarian rows, escalating tensions and a collapse of faith in institutions set up by the Good Friday Agreement.

“What has been missing is any serious engagement by either the Dublin or London government,” he said.

“They have been complacent and disinterested.

“Particularly damaging is how the entire issue of development through North/South cooperation has been ignored.”

Mr Martin criticised a recent development plan for the North which “makes no mention of the Republic” and hit out at the Taoiseach for not attending a major investment conference in Belfast.

“Worst of all it is how vital North/South infrastructure projects such as the Narrow-Water Bridge are being abandoned because of a lack of commitment from the governments,” he said.

“The economic and social development of this island, and of the border region in particular, demands strong North/South cooperation. ”

The Fianna Fáil leader said historic progress for peace and reconciliation on the island could not have been possible without the priority which different Irish leaders gave to it.

“Formal meetings and dinners aren’t enough – you have to spend the time developing links and building trust,” he said.

“The current Taoiseach needs to start giving it his attention or the consequences may be much greater than we already fear.”

(Pictures: Niall Carson/PA)