Michael Noonan ‘back on the road again’ after hospitalisation

Minister for Finance Michael Noonan has said he is "back on the road again" following a period spent in hospital over Christmas.

Mr Noonan spent Christmas in hospital, where he underwent a medical procedure, after doctors diagnosed a chest infection.The 72-year-old has committed to contesting the general election in Limerick city.

Speaking on Tuesday afternoon, Mr Noonan said: “I had an illness over the Christmas. I had a chest infection. The infection didn’t respond to antibiotics so it developed into pneumonia so I was hospitalised over the Christmas. I’m back on the road again now.”

Mr Noonan was speaking at a press conference with Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin to mark the release of the 2015 Exchequer return figures, which showed a small deficit of €62 million.

Joking about his relationship with Mr Howlin, Mr Noonan said: “The double act here continues.”

Mr Noonan has already insisted he wants to be returned to the Department of Finance if the party is re-elected to government.