Fresh revelations call Reilly’s statement into question – Kelleher
Published on: 12 July 2012
Fianna Fáil Health Spokesperson Billy Kelleher has said revelations detailed in this evening’s Evening Herald that Minister Reilly intervened in a staffing matter at the Green Hills Nursing Home in Tipperary “cast doubt over the accuracy of statement in the Dáil last night.”
Deputy Kelleher said: “It is essential that the Minister for Health make himself available to answers questions in the Dáil to address the issues surrounding his involvement in the Green Hills Nursing Home. This new revelation that Minister Reilly intervened in a staffing issue directly contradicts his statement that he has never been involved in the management of his private nursing home and that it has always been independently run.
“The Minister and the Government made a mistake in not permitting questions last night. As new information begins to emerge, the Minister should move quickly to correct that mistake and make himself available for detailed questioning. As people open their Evening Herald, they will rightly feel that the Minister has not given them the whole story.
“Additionally, as his statement sinks in, more and more people will wonder why a man of such conspicuous wealth would need to sell his interest in a nursing home before complying with a High Court order. For his own sake and for the sake of his office, the Minister should revisit his decision to avoid questions and come to the Dáil this evening or next week.”