Social Democrat TD Róisín Shorthall has questioned the experience of the new Health Minister Simon Harris.

Mr Harris was a surprise appointment to the Department of Health, and Deputy Shorthall has questioned whether he is ready for it.

She also expressed concern about a clause in the programme for government that reportedly could dismantle the HSE and which she said could potentially allow for the privatisation of hospitals.

The Social Democrats TD said there are huge challenges for the health service, and she hopes that the new Minister is able for them.

Here goes... pic.twitter.com/ZgboqVTo7B

— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) May 9, 2016

“There is no doubt that Mr Harris is an able politician. He is very young and quite inexperienced, though, and I’m not sure he has any expertise in the health area,” she said. (Minister Harris is 29.)

“I wish him well, because it’s really important that our Minister for Health does well because health is such an important area. Politics dogs the Department of Health and I just hope he has the experience to be able to deal with that very challenging area.”

Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil health spokesperson Billy Kelleher said he was “concerned” by reports the HSE may be dismantled and replaced with a new health commission.

He said: “What we need is to ensure the HSE is more streamlined, more accountable and delivers healthcare.”