Simon Harris has promised to do everything he can to help Patrick O’Donovan return to work.
The Limerick TD has recently been diagnosed with epilepsy and spoken out about the challenges of combining his ministerial responsibilities and balancing his condition.
Following this month’s budget, a member of Fine Gael Minister told a journalist that there is a "discussion about whether he [Minister O'Donovan] is well enough to stay in the role is coming for sure”.
Minister O’Donovan described the remark as the “ultimate betrayal” and a “slap in the face”.
On 13th October, he was hospitalised after he felt unwell during an EU Presidency meeting and taken to University Hospital Limerick.
Minister O’Donovan is still recovering and the Tánaiste said that everyone in Fine Gael and the Government sends their “best wishes” to him.
“I was with Patrick and his family this week and I'm delighted that he is recovering,” he told The Claire Byrne Show.
“I want him to take that time to recover well but I'm certainly not going to speak for Patrick.
“He's well able to speak for himself, but I'm very conscious that the condition that Patrick has is a condition that will obviously require management.
“And I think it's really important that in our workplace we can show that ability.”
Minister Harris promised that “whatever needs to be done will be done” for him to return to work when he is fit to do so.
“Patrick is more than a person who has a disability or an illness,” he said.
“He's a good colleague, he's an able minister with a demanding job.
“He's working on a whole range of issues and I look forward to getting back to work.
“I know he looks forward to coming back to work.”
Minister Harris added that he has “no idea” who briefed against the Limerick TD and that he has “full confidence” in all Ministers.
“But let me just say to whoever made those comments that I'm the leader of the Fine Gael party and I decide who serves in the cabinet from a Fine Gael perspective,” he said.
“Anybody thinking about a reshuffle is a little bit premature and what I want from all my Ministers and I think what the public want from Fine Gael ministers and Ministers right across Government is delivery, getting on with the job.
“I want them to do their very best job and then I'll decide in due course who serves in Government and what role.”
Main image: Simon Harris and Patrick O'Donovan. Picture by: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie.
