Ó Caoláin casts doubt over fitness of our Minister for Health

DÁIL SKETCH:REFERENCES TO Minister for Health Dr James Reilly are never far from Dáil proceedings these days. The same applies to his would-be nemesis, former minister of State Róisín Shortall.

Yesterday, she was in the chamber for Opposition Leaders’ Questions, which were taken by Tánaiste and Labour leader Eamon Gilmore.

She sat next to fellow Dublin TD Tommy Broughan, an ideological soulmate who, like herself, is without the Labour whip these days. While they sat on the Labour benches, they were a distance from their erstwhile parliamentary colleagues who are still firmly under the whip.

Shortall and Broughan engaged in conversation, while Fianna Fáil’s Willie O’Dea challenged Gilmore to clear up the confusion about allowances for public sector workers.

“I am happy to clear up any confusion in Deputy O’Dea’s mind,” said Gilmore.

“The Tánaiste should do that for Deputy Shortall, too,” said Fianna Fáil’s Timmy Dooley.

The Shortall-Broughan conversation ended abruptly when the source of Shortall’s wrath was referred to by Sinn Féin’s Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin.

“Is the Tánaiste in any way concerned at the contempt of the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, for those who question him,” Ó Caoláin asked.

“They include, obviously, the former minister of state at the department, Deputy Shortall.”

Ó Caoláin referred to the ruling by Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett relating to Reilly’s failure to answer a Dáil question about the controversial primary care centres. Ó Caoláin claimed there was growing evidence of the “Berlin Wall” Reilly was building around himself.

As Shortall, who jumped that ministerial wall in spectacular fashion, looked on impassively, Gilmore avoided her gaze. Addressing Ó Caoláin directly, he said that every Minister was accountable to the Dáil and its members and was required to answer questions.

Ó Caoláin declared that it was a serious matter indeed and he hoped that it would be appropriately addressed.

“It underlines again – that is why I am highlighting it among other matters this morning – that the Minister, Dr Reilly, is not a fit person to be at the helm of the Department of Health,” he added.“That is simply the bottom line.”

The silent Shortall retained her impassive expression. Gilmore looked uncomfortable. Labour Minister of State Jan O’Sullivan, his only ministerial colleague on the Government benches, looked equally ill at ease.Ó Caoláin stepped up his attack. “I would ask the Tánaiste to note that there are reports this morning that there is growing disillusionment within his party at Minister Reilly’s continued stewardship of the Department of Health.”

He warned Gilmore that he had “only a limited timeframe” in which to act as Labour Party leader in the Coalition on the Minister’s position.

Gilmore replied that the House had disposed of the “issue” relating to the Minister in the confidence motion.

“It did not dispose of the Minister,” said Ó Caoláin.

Dáil business moved on. Shortall resumed her conversation with Broughan. For Labour, she is the ominous ghost of ministerial resignations past.