Fianna Fáil have branded the junior health ministers announcement of a new Mental health Service Director as a embarrassing gaffe for government.

Kathleen Lynch told Lunchtime here on Newstalk this afternoon that Stephen Mulvany, who previously worked as one of the HSE's Regional Director of Operations, is to assume the role.

Spokesman for health for Fianna Fail, Billy Kelleher says he hopes Kathleen Lynch's announcement on Newstalk Lunchtime, has not compromised the individual involved or undermined the appointment process.

His comments come on the back of a statement issued after the show, in which the Health Service Executive said that the recruitment process for this position is on-going and that a decision will not be made before new legislation for how it's mental health services will be redesigned.

The HSE say the recruitment process is being handled by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) and PAS is currently in the final stages of the recruitment process.

Here's what Minister Kathleen Lynch told Newstalk Lunchtime: