The Minister for Health rejected a demand that the Hanly report be set aside.
Mr Martin was replying to Mr Caoimhghin Ó Caoláin (SF, Cavan-Monaghan), who said that under the report most smaller hospitals around the State "will not be able to provide any in-patient care or effective accident and emergency services since they both require 24-hour medical cover".
The proposals, he said, were "both unworkable and unacceptable".
Mr Martin said that, following discussions with the chairman of the Hanly group in January, it was agreed that there would be 24-hour medical cover in acute hospitals across the country.
"I explained the last time I was here that the health board in Ennis and Nenagh area took a decision following submissions from the Irish Medical Council to advertise for the recruitment of emergency-care physicians and qualified doctors."
Pressed further by Mr Ó Caoláin and other Opposition deputies, Mr Martin said that the Hanly report was a 10-year document.
He said it did not suggest the closure or alteration next week or next year of the accident and emergency departments in Nenagh or Ennis hospitals.
