FINE Gael is expected to decide later this week if it will pursue legal action after the Minister for Health's reversal of appointments to the State's eight health boards.
There were no protests at the annual meeting of the Southern Health Board yesterday when two of Mr Cowen's appointees were announced, replacing those made by former minister, Mr Michael Noonan.Left deputy, Ms Kathleen Lynch, and former junior minister and ex-Labour deputy Mr Toddy O'Sullivan, had been appointed by the outgoing government.
Fianna Fail councillors Mr Denis Lyons and Mr Donal Moynihan TD were appointed instead. The Minister's third nominee has yet to be announced and there was a suggestion this could be Ms Mairin Quill of the Progressive Democrats who lost her Dail seat in the general election.
Mr Allen said yesterday his party had sought legal advice on Mr Cowen's action and he expected there would be a decision on this later in the week. He understood the matter would also be raised in the Dail tomorrow or on Thursday.
The Southern Health Board, which covers counties Cork and Kerry, elected its first woman chairman at its annual meeting yesterday. Dr Catherine Molloy, a GP, was unanimously elected.