Dissent is continuing within Fianna Fáil over the Hanly health reform project, despite the Taoiseach's demand for the plan to be studied and for people to "move on" from the issue, writes Arthur Beesley, Political Reporter
Mr Ahern and the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, attempted yesterday to further defuse the controversy over the reservations expressed three times by the Minister for Defence, Mr Smith.
"We're not talking any more about Michael Smith," Mr Ahern said when asked about the issue. "Let's move it on. It's Monday."
The Taoiseach is expected to defend the plans at a meeting this evening of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party.
Mr Smith's spokesman would not comment when asked if the Minister would attend.
But just hours after Mr Ahern said Mr Smith's expression of regret on the matter meant the controversy was "over", Fianna Fáil politicians in the mid-west were still making their concerns public.
Mr Martin challenged those against the initiative yesterday to propose an alternative and said there was no need to seek a renewed Cabinet mandate.
Soon afterwards, the Clare TD Mr Tony Killeen said elements of the plan should be changed. "I don't accept that the Hanly plan depends as its fulcrum on the change in relation to accident and emergency," he said on RTÉ Radio. "Neither do I accept that there is a cost advantage in proceeding down that particular route."
The Clare FF senator, Mr Timmy Dooley, said he shared concerns about the implications for Ennis hospital. "The concern for a lot of people is the potential downgrading of the accident and emergency unit. There's huge concern, particularly in west Clare."