Taoiseach: Minister for Health has given Waterford hospital 'the best deal possible'

The Taoiseach Enda Kenny says the Government cannot be held to ransom every week by Independent Ministers.

Junior Minister John Halligan has threatened to "rain hell" on the Government if services at his local hospital are not expanded.

However, Mr Kenny says Minister Halligan has ministerial responsibilities that he needs to get on with.

The Taoiseach said they have gone above and beyond to give University Hospital Waterford the best deal possible.

He said: "You cannot have a situation where every week you could have somebody holding a government to ransom.

"We set out a position here, that position has been published, that position has been honoured in full.

"What the Government signed up to, what Fine Gael signed up to was published and approved and vetted. And the Minister for Health has gone beyond what he could have gone by giving Waterford the best deal possible."