The Taoiseach has come under fire after claiming the Health Minister James Reilly is a politician of courage who should be admired for his u-turn on disability cuts.

Enda Kenny said Dr. Reilly had shown courage in ending the confusion and fear surrounding the proposed cuts to care assistants.

Enda Kenny is backing James Reilly who faces a motion of ‘no confidence’ in the Dáil in less than 2 weeks time.

The Taoiseach said the Minister acted quickly to reverse the decision made by the Health Service Executive (HSE).

Speaking in West Dublin this morning Mr. Kenny said “You term this a as a mistake; I said the Minister had the courage to say ‘I’m giving instruction to the HSE not to proceed with the extent of this particular cut in regards to where personal assistance for people who are concerned’”.

“The Minister had the courage to do that and do it quickly”.

“And he’s to be admired for doing it so quickly and effectively and ending the confusion and the fear” he added.

Sinn Fein is to table a motion of ‘no confidence’ in Dr. Reilly when the Dail returns later this month.

The party deputy leader Mary-Lou McDonald says she does not share the admiration by the Taoiseach for the Health Minister.

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