Minister for Health Mary Harney shed tears yesterday when she condemned a Sunday newspaper report which alleged that her mother had been given priority hospital attention because of Ms Harney's influence.
The Tánaiste was questioned briefly about the Ireland on Sunday report at the end of the special Cabinet meeting yesterday in Avondale House, Co Wicklow, the home of Charles Stewart Parnell.
Visibly upset, Ms Harney told journalists: "I don't want to comment, except to say this: I regret that my very sick mother was brought into a political discussion. I really resent that.
"It was completely untrue, as the doctors in Tallaght have confirmed to me.
"A clinical decision was made about my mother and there was no interference from any member of my family, including myself," she declared.
Ms Harney's mother, Sarah, has been cared for by her son and daughter-in-law at the family farm in Newcastle, west Dublin, since her stroke 13 years ago, with the help of other family members. Ms Harney's father, Michael, died six years ago.
Tallaght hospital last night strongly denied that the mother of Ms Harney had received any preferential treatment during a recent admission.
In a statement, the hospital said that the timing and nature of Sarah Harney's treatment had been decided by her consultant "based solely on the patient's medical and physical condition and on best practice guidelines".
"At no time during her recent admission or during any previous admission did Mrs Harney or any of her family seek preferential treatment. Nor was any pressure brought to bear at any level to alter, influence or bypass normal processes."
The hospital said there was absolutely no truth to the claim that Sarah Harney had received any priority treatment over and above that of any other patient based on her family connections.