A Fine Gael TD says there needs to be a "new face" as the Minister for Health. The comments from Carlow-Kilkenny deputy Pat Deering come amid mounting criticism of James Reilly for his handling of discretionary medical cards.
He says a number of his colleagues have expressed similar views, and a "new emphasis" is needed by the government in the months ahead.
Pat Deering told Newstalk Breakfast that it is time for a change in the Department of Health.
On Friday, the Health Service Executive (HSE) said that people who have already lost their medical cards would not be able to get them back.
It has stopped the review of discretionary medical cards after the government decided to change the criteria under which they are awarded.
But the HSE says a law change would be needed for people who have already lost their cards to get them back.
The junior health minister Alex White said the government needs to admit it got it wrong taking cards off people in the first place.
