Update1.30pm:

Fine Gael TD for the Dublin Bay South constituency Kate O’Connell has said it is time to take politics out of our health sector, in the wake of the war of words between John Halligan and senior Government Ministers.

She said: “He was looking for something for Waterford hospital and it clearly doesn’t merit it. In that case, he can’t have (the second cath lab).

“He’s Minister of State for Education and Skills. I’d like to see him doing a bit in that department and maybe leaving Waterford to the side for the minute.”

Earlier:

Independent Junior Minister John Halligan has warned he will “bring all hell down on top of the Government” if his demand is not met for a second cath lab at University Hospital Waterford.

Training and Skills Minister Halligan (pictured) has threatened to quit and now has challenged Enda Kenny to sack him after a clinical review found there was no need for a second cath lab at the hospital.

Speaking to the Sunday Independent, Mr Halligan warned he would “bring all hell down on top of the Government” if it does not deliver on his demands.

He also told the paper that he would not be intimidated and accused Fine Gael of a “stitch-up” and three party Ministers of “dirty politics”.

He said: “I am angry with the people I negotiated with (for the second cath lab) – Michael Noonan, Simon Coveney and Leo Varadkar.”

Housing Minister Simon Coveney denied that there had been any “trickery” or false promises in the pre-government talks for a second lab.

Mr Halligan insists he was told the second lab would be established.

If Mr Halligan does resign, the Government will be dependent on the support of former Fine Gael Minister Michael Lowry to survive.