Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore have moved to defuse tension within the Government over the planned health cuts.
Entering Government buildings ahead of today's first Cabinet meeting after the summer, Mr Kenny said the "silly season" was over and that the Government has to get on with the job of making tough decisions.
Mr Gilmore said he had no doubt the Minister for Health would balance spending reductions with meeting the needs of people.
The Cabinet meeting, which broke before 6pm this evening, was expected to focus on Budget preparations and the forthcoming children's rights referendum.
However, it is understood that the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform's proposals to cut the €1.5bn allowances bill for public servants would not be discussed.
The Government has pledged to secure savings of up to €75m this year by reducing the broad range of around 800 allowances.
However, there is doubt as to whether this year's target can be met.
Meanwhile, Mr Gilmore criticised Fianna Fáil for its motion of no-confidence in Minister James Reilly and said the party had a "hard neck" to tell anyone about health.
The Tánaiste said Fianna Fáil had left the country in a horrific mess and its handling of the health system was appalling.
Asked about the €130m cuts to the health sector, Mr Gilmore said it is always a challenge to make reductions and balance them with meeting the needs of people, but he said he had no doubt that is what Dr Reilly will do.
In response, Fianna Fáil's Billy Kelleher said Mr Gilmore failed to address the concerns of patients and their families.
He said: "The Tánaiste's comments today will provide absolutely no comfort to the thousands of high-dependency patients who will have their home care supports cut as a result of this Government's decisions."
HSE regions have been asked to submit their cost-cutting plans by the end of the week. However, it is expected that this process may continue into next week.
Elsewhere, Labour Relations Commission Chief Executive Kieran Mulvey has called on ministers to refrain from commenting publicly on the Croke Park Agreement.
Speaking on RTÉ’s News at One, Mr Mulvey said the commentary is sending out mixed messages to public service management and public service trade unions.
He warned that talking about renegotiating the Croke Park Agreement could lead to inflexibility and a lack of commitment to the reforms that are necessary.
