Trevor Sargent
Attacked Govt over Smith's comments
A Government spokeswoman has described the language used by Michael Smith in criticising the Hanly report as 'unfortunate'.
The Defence Minister warned against people living in outlying areas being 'sacrificed on the altar' as he put it, of the report's proposals to downgrade local hospitals.
The minister denied he was flying in the face of cabinet responsibility with his remarks.
The Government spokeswoman said that support for the principles and core conclusions of the report on health reform remained a collective cabinet decision but that local factors would be taken into account in implementing it.
She denied that the ministers comments weakened Micheál Martin's ability to negotiate and implement the report.
Reacting to the Defence Minister's comments, the Labour Party leader has claimed that Micheal Smith's remarks represent the most direct challenge yet to the Taoiseach's authority.
Citing what he said were a number of recent examples, Pat Rabbitte said there had never been a Taoiseach who tolerated colleagues so blatantly thumbing their noses at his office and the principle of collective responsibility.
Ahern disputes Opposition claims
Earlier, the Taoiseach told the Dáil that the Minister 'totally supported' the Hanly Report.
This morning, Green Party leader Trevor Sargent quizzed the Taoiseach in the Dáil about comments by Defence Minister Michael Smith, which criticised the Hanly Report on hospital reorganisation.
Mr Sargent criticised the proposal to withdraw certain services from Nenagh General Hospital in his North Tipperary constituency in particular.
To laughter from the Opposition benches, the Taoiseach replied that Minister Smith totally accepted the Hanly Report, and had confirmed this to him this morning.
Mr Ahern said Minister Smith was only giving his view on the 'demographics and geographics' of the report's implementation.
