Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe says the Government is 'absolutely supportive' of the public health recommendations being given to them, but it's also their job to 'debate and understand' the advice.
Officials have in recent days dismissed reports of tensions between Government and the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET).
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan last night said he has had 'perfectly straightforward interactions' with Cabinet to date - and there hasn't been any 'pressure' informing their decision-making.
"I haven't come across any tension" Dr Holohan denies that there is any friction with minsters over #COVID19 restrictions. pic.twitter.com/z2VYUaAFG1
— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) May 5, 2020
Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast, Minister Donohoe said he hasn't had any issues with NPHET that he hasn't be able to raise in either private or public.
He explained: “The Government is absolutely supportive of NPHET’s recommendations, but we of course always want to debate and understand it - that’s what we’re here for.
“I want to repeat what Tony Holohan said… that the advice he has given to Cabinet we have accepted and implemented… but we have also debated it and sought to understand it, which is fundamentally one of the main things that the Cabinet of the country is meant to do."
Minister Donohoe was speaking after Exchequer figures showed a deficit of more than €7.4bn recorded up to the end of April.
The Finance Minister this morning insisted the financial situation is currently "not the same" as the one seen in 2008-2011.
He said: “The worst deficit that we had during the [financial] crisis - including the costs of banking recapitalisation - was exceptionally high, and currently is higher than the figures we’re discussing here today.
"However, I’m not ruling out at all that the deficit we’ve projected for this year could grow - and I’ve indicated it could grow later in the year to up to €30 billion, which would be an exceptionally high figure and in line with the challenges we’ve had before."
He also said the Government will set out future plans for the COVID-19 social welfare payments in the coming weeks.
