Reilly Denies Wrongdoing Over Healthcare Centres

The Minister for Health James Reilly has denied any impropriety on his part over the location of proposed primary healthcare centres.

A report in the Irish Independent this morning claims property developer Seamus Murphy, who is a supporter of Mr Reilly, owns the site in the minister's constituency where the health centre is to be built.

Junior health minister Roisin Shortall resigned last week following the addition by Mr Reilly's of locations, including two in his own constituency, to a list of proposed primary healthcare centres.

Opposition parties have called for Mr Reilly to answer questions when the Dáil convenes later today.

A statement issued by a spokesman claimed the article made no suggestion of impropriety on his part.

Mr Reilly said Mr Murphy was indeed a Fine Gael supporter, but that it was not the case there was controversy regarding the possible development of a primary care centre.

The minister said the recent addition of Balbriggan to the list was a separate matter.

But on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Fianna Fáil finance spokesman Michael McGrath said of the matter: "We now need to have Minister Reilly come before the House, make a comprehensive statement to the Dáil on the selection criteria that was used and to take questions from the Opposition spokespersons.

"We will be calling on him again today, as we did yesterday, to do that because we are not satisfied with the information that has now come into the public domain.

"It raises fundamental questions that really need to be answered and the entire integrity of the selection process has now been undermined."

(IT/GK)