/> The Minister for Transport says although he can relate to the frustrations of the Health Minister – nonetheless the Croke Park agreement must be honoured by Government.

A rift is said to be emerging within the Cabinet, over the Croke Park agreement on public service pay.

Minister James Reilly says the deal needs to be re-examined, in an effort to cut the significant budget deficit in the health service.

But Minister Leo Varadkar says the Government can afford to stick to the deal which still has a year and a half left to run.

Speaking in Dublin earlier, Minister Varadkar says the Government’s position on the Croke Park Agreement should not change.