Minister for Finance Michael Noonan was hospitalised this week after contracting cellulitis, a bacterial skin infection.

Mr Noonan fell ill during the week with the infection and was admitted to hospital on Tuesday.

It was considered the most appropriate setting for administering the course of antibiotics he was prescribed. He is expected to be discharged from hospital before the weekend and is due to resume work on Monday.

A Government spokesman said Mr Noonan had participated from hospital by telephone in yesterday’s Cabinet discussion on the Comptroller and Auditor General’s report on Nama.

It is understood the infection is not related to the sarcoma (a form of skin cancer) for which Mr Noonan received treatment last year.

The admission, however, has raised fresh concerns about the health of the 70-year-old. He has always insisted his health difficulties have had no impact on his ability to fulfil his functions as Minister for Finance.

Yesterday, Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe dismissed any concerns. “Rarely have I worked with any individual who has the level of vigour, expertise and energy in relation to the role.”

He said Mr Noonan was fully involved in the discussion on the C&AG report, and would be “returning to deal with those matters soon”.