FF Calls For Reilly To 'Walk Away'

Fianna Fáil Health Spokesperson Billy Kelleher TD has confirmed that his party will table a motion of no-confidence in the Health Minister James Reilly upon the Dáil's resumption.

Deputy Kelleher commented: "Since Minister James Reilly took over responsibility in the Department of Health, it has been a story of disappointment, disruption, dysfunction and chaos.

"From his decision to fire the expert board of the HSE without having an alternative governance structure in its place, to his failure to give any leadership in the face of crippling mismanagement of the health budget, Minister Reilly has demonstrated a complete inability to lead reform of the country's health system.

"We have been making this case for some time, but the controversy following his latest gaffe – his €130 million in cuts to the most vulnerable and his refusal to personally explain his rationale – has finally opened his Government colleagues’ eyes to the effect he is having on health services.

"All confidence in Minister Reilly and his leadership of the Department of Health has now gone. I would call on him to live up to the promise he made before the election, when he said that the day he withdrew services with nothing in their place he would walk away. If he refuses to go, my party will be tabling a motion of no confidence in the Minister immediately upon the resumption of the Dáil.

"All those within Dáil Éireann who claim to agree with the Fianna Fáil analysis of Minister Reilly’s approach and decisions will be given the opportunity to vote for a new direction."

(CD/GK)