Alison O'Connor: Health department still getting measure of new minister Stephen Donnelly

Donnelly is not helped by the fact constituency rival Simon Harris is still missed as health minister by significant sections of the public

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has never held a Cabinet position before but he had served as Fianna Fáil health spokesman.  Picture: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie

In the space of just a few days this summer the Department of Health lost its top three people — its minister, its chief medical officer and its secretary general. 

Quite extraordinary when you consider there is a global pandemic.