Row over Dublin drugs taskforce escalates over minister's comments 

Minister of State with responsibility for Public Health and the National Drugs Strategy, Frank Feighan: "Unfortunately, the failure of the leadership of the taskforce to engage with the department on this matter has left no alternative than to put in place a process to appoint an independent chairperson." Picture: Collins

The public row between the Department of Health and a Dublin drugs taskforce has escalated further after comments made by the drugs strategy minister in the Dáil.

Frank Feighan claimed that the department and the outgoing chairman had agreed a process for the chair's replacement and said that this had not been followed.