Efforts are being made to resolve a split between the government parties over proposed cuts to the health budget.
The Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin met with the Health Minister James Reilly over the weekend in an effort to clear up the row – which some TDs suggest could lead to an early election.
As the cabinet prepares to meet tomorrow for the first time since the summer break – discussions are likely to be centered on the row over cuts in the health service announced in the past few days.
Labour TDs are angry that their party was not informed of the cuts before they were made public.
The party’s chairman Colm Keaveny has also suggested the row means its time to prepare for an early election.
Fianna Fail – meanwhile – looks set to up the ante with a possible motion of no confidence in the health minister when the Dáil returns.
But efforts are now being made to resolve the row in the coalition.
Dr Reilly and Labours Brendan Howlin met over the weekend in an effort to work out the difficulties. And other senior labour party figures – including Party TD Dominic Hannigan – have moved to play down talk of an early election.
