The Junior Health Minister has again refused to state whether she has confidence in James Reilly.
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/> Roisin Shortall also today questioned the Minister’s decision to add two primary health care facilities in his own constituency to a list already finalised by the HSE.

Minister Reilly says he made the decision as a “GP on the ground” and won’t apologise for it.

But Roisin Shortall rebuffed three opportunities to state her confidence in the Minister today.

However her Labour party colleague Ruairi Quinn has given his backing to Dr. Reilly and says he deserves support from all members of Government:

Two men have appeared in court in Dublin charged in connection with the murder of Michael Kelly who was shot dead outside an apartment complex in Clongriffin last year.

Vincent Ryan from Grange Abbey Drive in Donghmede – a brother of murdered dissident republican Alan Ryan – and Darragh Evans of Grange Park Rise in Raheny have both been charged with firearms offences.

Newstalks Fergal O’Brien reports:

Police in the US are trying to negotiate with a man armed with a gun and a bomb, who’s taken at least one hostage in Pittsburgh.

He’s said to be holed up on the 16th floor of a high-rise office building.

No shots have been fired and no injuries are reported.

The building was evacuated during the morning rush hour.

Fianna Fail is calling on the Government to state how much the property tax will be and explain how it will be collected.

Recent weeks have seen continued newspaper leaks concerning the new tax which comes into force next July however the Government is adamant that no decisions have been made and all will be revealed on budget day.

However Fianna Fail says the uncertainty is crippling consumer confidence.

The party’s Finance spokesman is Michael McGrath:

The Data Protection Commissioner says he’s satisfied Facebook Ireland has implemented recommendations to improve privacy.

A review of the social networking website says the majority of the proposals have been introduced including better user transparency and control over settings.

However Facebook has been given four weeks to address a number of outstanding issues, or it could face court fines if it doesn’t fully comply.