The Cabinet is to meet today in what will be its final meeting before the summer break. The deteriorating state of the public finances is expected to dominate the meeting.
The all-day meeting has some 50 items scheduled for discussion including an application by the VHI for an 8.5 per cent increase in premiums.
A proposal for major reform of the Garda, the biggest since the force was established is expected to feature.
The Minister for Health Mr Martin will also present the report into medical manpower by the Hanly review group to Cabinet for approval.
The report is expected to propose the downgrading of some regional hospitals and a renegotiation of hospital consultants' contract.
Also up for discussion is a plan for the state to take over Lissadell, the house in Co Sligo that was the childhood home of patriot Countess Markievicz, whose family, the Gore-Booths, had close links with the poet W B Yeats.
The mansion, set in 400 acres of land, has been on the market at 3.5 million for some months, and there have been calls on the government by heritage groups and opposition politicians to secure its ownershipin the face of competition from private would-be buyers.
The Cabinet will next meet in September.