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Sam Boal/Photocall Ireland

Reilly denies U-turn on personal assistant service cuts

The Minister for Health said he deplored the fact that people had to stay up all night protesting because of the fear of service cuts.

MINISTER FOR HEALTH Dr James Reilly appeared on RTE’s Prime Time last night to answer his critics after the backlash that followed last week’s health cuts announcement.

Reilly said as far as he was concerned there was never a U-turn as there was “no decision to remove” personal assistance services for people with disabilities.

Despite comments from Taoiseach Enda Kenny yesterday commending the Health Minister for his reversal of cuts, Reilly said he had always made it clear that this would be an area of last resort.

The Minister said he “deplored the fact that people had to stay up all night in the cold because of the fear that they felt that their services were going to be withdrawn”.

Responding to comments that he had failed to respond to questions around cuts in a timely manner, Reilly said, “I tried my best and I didn’t succeed”.

Reilly said the government would do everything in their power to ensure services were maintained but would not guarantee that there would not be cuts in this area in the forthcoming  budget.

Read: People with disabilities continue their protest outside Leinster House despite U-turn>

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32 Comments
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    Mute Chonky Racoon
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    Mar 15th 2019, 11:20 PM

    Well the Potus is always welcome in Ireland no matter who it is :) but I’m sure trump will be visiting in his second term in office as well

    124
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    Mute Seán Ó Briain
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    Mar 15th 2019, 11:21 PM

    @Chonky Racoon: I wouldn’t bet on it.

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    Mute Bryan Kelly
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    Mar 15th 2019, 11:29 PM

    @Chonky Racoon: Obvious trolls are obvious.

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    Mute Mel Fitzpatrick
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    Mar 15th 2019, 11:32 PM

    @Chonky Racoon: That is the most pathetic attempt at trolling I have ever witnessed on the Journal….. Take a bow son!

    42
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    Mute Chonky Racoon
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    Mar 15th 2019, 11:36 PM

    @Mel Fitzpatrick: it’s not an attempt at trolling. I firmly believe that trump will see a second term.. And of course I’ll welcome the president of the most powerful country on earth to our shores.. Many countries envy our relationship and kinship with the America

    36
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    Mute Michael Herron
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    Mar 16th 2019, 12:28 AM

    @Seán Ó Briain: With the stellar work AOC is doing as leader of the Trump reelection campaign, I fear he will.

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    Mute Ben Coughlan
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    Mar 16th 2019, 1:28 AM

    @Chonky Racoon: back to your bridge you ghoul.

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    Mute Paul Furey
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    Mar 16th 2019, 1:57 AM

    @Chonky Racoon: You’re a bit mad aren’t you!

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    Mute Gus Sheridan
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    Mar 16th 2019, 9:18 AM

    @Mel Fitzpatrick: you take the trolling cup old son

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    Mute alan doyle
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    Mar 15th 2019, 11:47 PM

    Good. Welcome to POTUS. Respect the office as they did ours.

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    Mute Milk The Drones
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    Mar 15th 2019, 11:21 PM

    It’s embarrassing how low our Taoiseach grovels. Full of praise for the pussie grabber and his mighty war machine

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    Mute cryptodon
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    Mar 15th 2019, 11:30 PM

    @Milk The Drones: you gonna be ok?

    52
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    Mute Annie Citric
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    Mar 15th 2019, 11:20 PM

    The embodiment of hate. Let’s say no.

    59
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    Mute Brian Flavin
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    Mar 15th 2019, 11:20 PM

    If President trump come to Ireland on June will cost Irish taxpayers up to €20M crazy protection trump visit

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    Mute Viktor
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    Mar 16th 2019, 12:21 PM

    @Brian Flavin: Could you repeat that in English please

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    Mute Orla Smith
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    Mar 15th 2019, 11:45 PM

    #NotWelcome

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    Mute samstheman
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    Mar 15th 2019, 11:58 PM

    @Orla Smith: neither are you but look there you are

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    Mute Orla Smith
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    Mar 16th 2019, 12:15 AM

    @samstheman: Born in Ireland! Troll.

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    Mute samstheman
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    Mar 16th 2019, 12:19 AM

    @Orla Smith: that’s ok dude but I’m talking about the journal. Spoofer!

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    Mute Billy Nomates
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    Mar 15th 2019, 11:21 PM

    Xenophobic, Racist, Conman, Porn Star Shaggers not welcome thanks.

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    Mute Mushy Peas
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    Mar 15th 2019, 11:36 PM

    @Billy Nomates: he is the President of the United States. We can’t be so flippant to such an Office.

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    Mute Mel Fitzpatrick
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    Mar 15th 2019, 11:33 PM

    Please….. No… Anyone but that monstrosity…

    50
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    Mute Jack Simpson
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    Mar 15th 2019, 11:41 PM

    @Mel Fitzpatrick: If we can welcome a con artist and war criminal like Obama, the least we can do is welcome Trump!

    70
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    Mute Chonky Racoon
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    Mar 15th 2019, 11:46 PM

    @Jack Simpson: she only wants presidents who give off the impression of a Irish loving, Guinness drinking good guy.

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    Mute Michael Courtney
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    Mar 15th 2019, 11:20 PM

    I feel sorry for Trump

    16
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    Mute Louis Jacob
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    Mar 15th 2019, 11:51 PM

    Ah yes our great special relationship. Its a bit like the special relationship Tony has with Arty in the Sopranos.

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    Mute Gus Sheridan
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    Mar 16th 2019, 9:21 AM

    @Louis Jacob: special relationship comments being wheeled out again, there is no special relationship

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    Mute Erich Butler
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    Mar 16th 2019, 7:10 AM

    Should the headline not read “Taoiseach fears Trump could visit Ireland as early as June”?

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    Mute kizzy
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    Mar 15th 2019, 11:37 PM

    Great more red carpets and harp playing

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    Mute Colin O'Sullivan
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    Mar 16th 2019, 12:17 AM

    He wants to come and play golf and to promote Doonbeg golf course of course (no pun intended) . We’ll probably even get to fund a Trunp statue in the town too out of it.

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    Mute Spartacus Ireland
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    Mar 15th 2019, 11:28 PM

    Whether we like it or not? :-)

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    Mute Michael Maher
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    Mar 16th 2019, 1:35 AM

    So the Leo the lamb and Donald the lion are suddenly friends now.

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    Mute Ben Coughlan
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    Mar 16th 2019, 1:27 AM

    Election in May so…

    6
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    Mute Derek Hughes
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    Mar 16th 2019, 2:35 AM

    Please get him out of here. Take him for a week or two. 200,000,000 American’s will be grateful for the break!

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    Mute WoodlandBard
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    Mar 16th 2019, 12:04 AM

    Dropping off some of the Mexico loot he just signed for, to also build his Doonbeg wall.

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    Mute Miller
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    Mar 16th 2019, 9:07 AM

    Trump looks embarrassed to be beside leo

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    Mute John A. Dixon
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    Mar 16th 2019, 8:49 AM

    Not welcome.

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    Mute Nicola Ní Chathail
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    Mar 16th 2019, 6:52 AM

    Like him or loathe him, he is the elected president of America and the office should be respected. It would do us no good to have such a man as an enemy. Suck it up.

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    Mute Dave O'Keeffe
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    Mar 16th 2019, 3:06 PM

    What’s the vetting this will be his second cancelled visit to Ireland? Either way, he’s more than welcome.

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    Mute Roy O' Brien
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    Mar 16th 2019, 7:33 AM

    No body wants him her but you don’t make the Irish People foot the bill

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    Mute Bren Guiden
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    Mar 16th 2019, 2:48 AM

    35 comments , The ratings here are shite ! Boom

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    Mute Simon Donnelly
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    Mar 16th 2019, 7:11 AM

    Why ?

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