The Taoiseach has urged his Ministers to “apply themselves to their jobs”.

Waterford TD John Halligan has stopped short of quitting as a junior minister after a clinical review said a second cath lab for the local hospital was not justified.

A second review may now be carried out after Halligan claimed that this one was flawed and subjected to interference from other hospitals.

In Dublin this morning, Enda Kenny was asked if he had a message for Minister Halligan.

“I’m heading now to Oxford to talk about Brexit and all that that brings, ” he said.

“I’d like that everybody would apply themselves to their jobs.

“We have a big responsibility in uncertain times. I’m looking forward to preparations for the Budget which, as we’ve pointed out, will be prudent, and without taking any risks with an economy that people have built up with their hard sacrifices over the last number of years.

“So everybody get down to business and apply ourselves to what we have to do as a country and as a people.”