GOVERNMENT CHIEF Whip and Minister of State Paul Kehoe has moved to quash whisperings that a general election may be called following Health Minister James Reilly’s announcing of €130 million worth of cuts in health services.

The suggestions come following responses to the cuts and intentions by Fianna Fáil to table a motion of no confidence in the Minister.

“I can assure you 100% that there will be no General Election,” Minister Kehoe told The Echo.

The Enniscorthy TD said: “I understand that people are concerned with Minister Reilly’s proposals. He has been given the task of coming up with savings and no matter what the cuts are, there will be people who will be unhappy, especially when it’s in the area of health.”

Minister Kehoe added that he had his own concerns with the cuts and would be speaking to the Health Minister at the Cabinet meeting taking place today (Tuesday): “The cuts are hitting some of the most vulnerable people. There are other areas, I feel, that savings can be made in instead of hitting these vital services.”

The Minister also criticised Fianna Fáil saying that they should look at their own record in the area of health before criticising the current government: “Micheal Martin spent a lot of money on reports without implementing them when he was Minister for Health. His answer to every question was to get a report done at the cost of the taxpayer.”

He added that the opposition leader had not come forward with any alternatives, as well as criticising Labour Chairman Colm Keaveney who, on Sunday, feared that disagreements over the cuts could destabilise the government.

“Colm Keaveney is entitled to his opinion but such comments are frightening people. The country neither needs nor wants a general election. There won’t be one, I can assure you of that,” said Minister Kehoe.