The Minister for Health and Children has rejected claims that the Government is unduly delaying the reform of health service management structures.
Mr Martin said he was "surprised" by the comments of Prof Niamh Brennan, who told The Irish Times on Monday she expected key appointments to drive the promised reform to have been made by now.
"There was never any question of the health strategy executive being appointed at this stage.
We said back in June that it would be in autumn that we would appoint an interim board of the health service executive that would appoint the implementation group and the steering group," the Minister said.
"There is no delay. I will be getting in touch with Mrs Brennan when I return. I was surprised by the comments. I have to point out what I regard as significant inaccuracies in regard to the time frame because the starting time is June onwards."
Mr Martin was speaking in New York during a visit to examine the effects of a smoking ban - similar to that planned for the Republic next year - introduced in the city's bars and restaurants.
Meanwhile, it emerged yesterday that the Minister was planning to publish the long-awaited Hanly report on medical staffing within a fortnight. The report, which recommends that consultants be available on a 24-hour rostered basis, was the subject of initial discussions by the Cabinet before the summer recess.
A Government source said it was due to return to the Cabinet table within the first fortnight of the new term with a view to immediate publication.
Rejecting claims of a delay in reforming the health sector, Mr Martin said when the Brennan and Prospectus reports were published last June, the Government announced that it would engage in a three-month consultation process before advancing further.
He said Department officials travelled around the country speaking to gatherings of up to 600 people, as well as councils and health boards.
As for Prof Brennan's criticism of the Department for failing to return a telephone call last week to ask what progress was being made, the Minister said: "I wasn't aware of that particular phone call. But it was made very clear; I don't know how anyone would be under any illusion other than that there would be a three-month consultation phase which we've advertised, which has been quite exhaustive. It's important, you've got to take people with you on changes as significant as this.
"We have a list of people. All that work is done. And the Department is also undertaking quite significant work in establishing up to 10 project teams, looking at legislation, looking at resources, services... All that work is in play.
"My next step has to be to go back to Government. I can't go outside of Government until I've got agreement with the Department of Finance."
