The Government last night tried to draw a veil over repeated criticisms by the Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, of health reforms that are designed to lead to the concentration of specialist services in major regional hospitals.
However, the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, pointedly praised Mr Smith's Tipperary North Fianna Fáil colleague, Deputy Maire Hoctor, for the "professional" manner in which she raised concerns about the future of Nenagh General Hospital.
In line with expectations, the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, has opted not to voice criticism of Mr Smith, though senior ministers are making little attempt in private to hide their annoyance with his solo run on the controversial reforms.
Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil Clare TD, Mr Tony Killeen, who offered generally positive comments about the contents of the Hanly Report after its publication, is due to attend a rally in Ennis tomorrow, organised in protest against the impact the plans may have on the local hospital.
Questioned yesterday for the first time since the controversy erupted, the Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy, said the Cabinet had said from the outset that "local considerations would be taken into account" in implementing the Hanly Report's recommendations.
Asked if he was disappointed with Mr Smith's conduct, Mr McCreevy, speaking after the publication of the Government's spending plans for next year, said: "I'm never disappointed at all. I'm always realistic."
Though the Minister for Defence refused to reopen the debate on the subject again yesterday, he did respond to suggestions that he is planning not to run in the next general election.
In a brief statement, issued to RTÉ's Today With Pat Kenny programme, his spokesman said: "Minster Smith will most definitely be standing in the next election. He is not afraid of any Government reshuffle and his only interest is in ensuring the best services for Nenagh Hospital and the people of North Tipperary."
Questioned yesterday, Deputy Hoctor declined to criticise Mr Smith, even though he did not warn her in advance that he was going to criticise the Hanly Report during a public meeting in Nenagh on Monday night.
"Michael Smith did not make any public pronouncement on Hanly until he stood up at the meeting. I had made it clear weeks before that I believed that there were benefits in the report," she told The Irish Times.
However, she said she remained concerned about the implementation of the details of the plan, and was particularly opposed to leaving Nenagh without any night-time accident and emergency cover.
She said she had discussed the issue with Mr Martin on a number of occasions since Tuesday, and further meetings were likely. "I stand by what I said at the meeting. However, there is a need for clarification about the presence of doctors and the provision of A&E."
