Responding to the resignation of Minister Roisin Shortall tonight, Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Health Billy Kelleher said: “It’s outrageous that the Minister who played by the rules is forced to resign tonight.
“I would have my differences with Roisin Shortall and the Labour Party but she was trying to do her job in good faith. In contrast Minister Reilly’s tenure at the Department of Health has been one of disorder, disappointment and dysfunction.
“He has now forced out the chief executive the HSE, he has lost the chief executive of the VHI and he has now forced out the junior minister in the critical area of primary care.
“How much more damage does James Reilly have to do before Enda Kenny comes to the same conclusion as many within the Cabinet and the rest of the country – James Reilly is not the person to lead positive change in the health service?”