The Taoiseach is denying an opposition claim that the former junior minister Roisin Shortall was not given the necessary powers to do her job.
She quit last week claiming the Programme for Government was not being adhered to and that Health Minister James Reilly was blocking reforms.
Earlier today Labour backbencher Joanna Tuffy waded into the row over her resignation by saying she was not properly supported by the Tánaiste or Taoiseach.
She said the resignation of Deputy Shortall was a ‘blow’ to her party and says the former Junior Minister was ‘hindered’ by Dr. James Reilly when she tried to implement government policy.
Fianna Fáil says a document outlining her role and responsibilities laid before the Dáil a year ago never once mentioned she was in charge of primary care.
But Taoiseach Enda Kenny says that was just a technicality.
However the Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin said Ms. Shortall was never given the authority by the Taoiseach and Tanaiste to deal with primary care.
And he accused the Health Minister of changing his story continually in an effort to explain why priority was given to the building of 2 primary care centres in his own constituency.
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