The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern told the Dáil today the Hanly report would be implemented fully with the objective of having a complete range of acute services in each region.
Responding to a question from the Fine Gael leader Mr Enda Kenny, as to whether or not the Hanly report would be implemented in full, Mr Ahern said the study means a consultant-provided service.
Mr Ahern said Hanly made recommendations for only two regions - the Mid-Western and East Coast Area Health Board regions. He said local groups in these areas will have an opportunity to report to the implementation body in each of these areas.
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However, the Taoiseach stressed that "Hanly has not moved on to stage two which is the rest of the country, and I hope that is clear."
Mr Kenny retorted that "you cannot believe anything from the mouth of this Government." He said if Hanly is Government policy there was no money contained in the estimates to upgrade regional hospitals to cope with extra demand.
"Let's see where the money for the super-duper regional centres is going to be. You will have left politics, sir, within ten years and Hanly still won't have been implemented."
And Mr Kenny quipped that while the Minister of Defence was not willing to sacrifice the people of North Tipperary on the altar of Hanly, Mr Smith was quite willing to sacrifice his constituency colleague Ms Maire Hoctor on the same altar.
Last week, Mr Smith three times outlined his opposition to the Hanly recommendations, which proposes reducing the status of Nenagh General Hospital in his North Tipperary constituency.
On Friday last, Mr Ahern sought and received an apology from Mr Smith.