The Department of Health has come under intense scrutiny following the announcement of Budget 2014 last week. The Department has been asked to make €666 million in savings, with some sources suggesting the real figure might be closer to €1 billion.

Department of Taoiseach and Public Expenditure officials will conduct a major review of the Department of Health to examine current operations and make sure Minister James Reilly implements the required cuts.

Reilly has been subjected to consistent criticisms of his performance as Minister since he took up the position in 2010. Yesterday, calls for his resignation were rejected by the Justice Minister after Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said James Reilly had lost control of his department. Alan Shatter said Martin "has no sense of shame and remains in denial of the impact of his party’s incompetence". Last year, Reilly won a vote of no confidence tabled by Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil.

Newstalk's political editor Shane Coleman spoke to Breakfast this morning. He said that Reilly has become a "lightning rod" for any dissatisfaction being directed at the Government, but that many Fine Gael leaders have sympathy for the extremely challenging job he is doing:

Opinion polls have shown Reilly as the least popular Minister among the general public. However, with a long career in healthcare - both as a GP and president of IMO - he is seen as a more appropriate candidate for the position than most of his party peers. The question many are asking now is whether he has the political abilities to back up his practical experience. Others suggest he has merely inherited a thankless position, with anyone else likely to face the same challenges in running the troubled Department.

Do you think James Reilly is the right man for the job? Is he merely enduring the same challenges anyone in the same position would? Should ministerial positions be appointed on primarily political or practical terms, or is a mix of the two necessary? Vote in our poll and leave your comments below.