Labour Minister Ruairi Quinn has defended the Health Minister James Reilly amid fresh revelations about his connections with a property developer in north Dublin.
The Irish Independent has today revealed that the primary care centre in Balbriggan promoted by the Minister is to be built on lands owned by Fine Gael supporter Seamus Murphy.
Fianna Fail says its concerned that health needs are being decided based on political ties rather than need.
The opposition used Dáil privilege to say the Minister has now conferred commercial and financial advantage on someone.
Dr. Reilly is to face questions on the issue in a special Dáil debate later today.
Meanwhile a statement issued on behalf of the Health Minister this morning says the owner of the Balbriggan site is a Fine Gael supporter and confirms that one of his properties was used to promote James Reilly during a General Election campaign.
It goes on to say that there is no question of any impropriety in the connection between the 2 men and that is especially true as Mr. Murphy is not trying to develop a primary care centre.
It also denies there is any controversy over the possible development of a primary care centre by way of a lease at the Dublin Road site in Balbriggan as suggested in the article.
Education Minister Quinn says he has no issue of any wrong-doing by Mr. Reilly.
He says the decision to use the site for a primary care centre was made before James Reilly came into office.
This is despite criticisms from Billy Kelleher of Fianna Fail and Richard Boyd-Barrett from People Before Profit.
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