Fianna Fáil's Thomas Byrne has accused Fine Gael's manifesto pledge of €5 billion for health of being a "con job".
Mr Byrne and Fine Gael Minister Heather Humphreys clashed during a debate on The Hard Shoulder today, following the unveiling of both parties' general election manifestos today.
Fine Gael pledged to deliver "an increase to current health funding of €5 billion over the next five years", while Fianna Fáil outlined its own plans for extra nurses, consultants and hospital beds.
However, Mr Byrne this evening challenged the Fine Gael figure.
Minister Humphreys responded 'yes' when asked by Mr Byrne if the €5 billion "included demographics that are separately accounted for" by other parties.
Suggesting the Fine Gael figures encompassed both pay rises and demographic allowances, Mr Byrne argued: "You're including them when everyone else is not including them... so you're double-counting, Heather, and it's a con job... this health budget is a con job."
The Fine Gael minister defended her party's plan, saying: "I have said €5 billion in current spending - I haven't included capital spending.
"Of the €5 billion, €3.2 billion is extra spending above demographics and other elements - and separately we have costed for a €2.5 billion public pay deal."
However, Mr Byrne suggested: "Already, two hours after Fine Gael's manifesto launch, Ivan you have brought the Fine Gael figure on health down from €5 billion to only €3.2 billion already" - a claim contested by Minister Humphreys.
You can listen back to the whole debate below:
