Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is an area where his party was in government for over ten years. The last health Minister, until two years ago, was the Deputy's party leader in the North, Ms Michelle O'Neill. Many of the same problems are faced in Northern Ireland, including overcrowding in hospitals, unacceptable waiting times, overruns on budgets and a reform plan that is not being implemented, the Bengoa plan. A very good editorial the other day in The Irish Newsstated the health service needs a Minister. Why does the health service in Northern Ireland not have a Minister?

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