The government has rejected calls from the Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin for James Reilly to resign as Health Minister.

The opposition leader was speaking after the Annual Wolfe Tone Commemoration in Bodenstown, County Kildare earlier today where, Mr Martin criticised James Reilly and said he had had lost control of his department.

But, the government says Fianna Fáil is in need of a 'reality check' - the Justice Minister for Justice Alan Shatter, has today described Deputy Martin's comments as 'astonishing'.

And, the Sinn Féín President Gerry Adams has said Micheál Martin's call for the health minister to resign misses the point.

Gerry Adams says he believes austerity is wrong whether it is being imposed by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael or Labour.

However, Micheál Martin believes James Reilly's position is untenable.