Ministerial friction at health must end

WHETHER Health Minister James Reilly accepts it or not, perception is everything in politics, a timeless and universally accurate yardstick whereby politicians are measured by the man and woman in the street.

By most standards, Dr Reilly appears to be politically inept, especially in managing his relationship with a fellow minister in one of the most important government departments. The lack of trust and communication between him and Minister of State Róisín Shortall is so divisive it is politically damaging.

Despite surviving a Dáil vote of no confidence over his handling of the health portfolio, and securing a deal with consultants, he finds himself on the firing line once more.