Dr Reilly's diagnoses enable Fine Gael to keep pressure on Coalition

Sam SmythWhen a famously fickle Fine Gael backbencher like John Deasy says their spokesman on health brings a lot to the party, it is a valued vote of confidence in Dr James Reilly."We should lend James to the Government for a week to sort out the health service and then bring him back to our front bench to make sure they keep to his plan," said the Waterford TD.Deasy is not easily impressed by bluebloods but he reckons Reilly, who belongs to no internal clique, brings confidence, competence and gravitas to Fine Gael's frontbench.Reilly really has made an enormous impact in the Dail and the media since he took up the health portfolio after his election last year. He is an integral part of a very effective troika with Richard Bruton and Brian Hayes that has seen Fine Gael spook a fearful Government.It is a very impressive feat for a first-time TD only elected 16 months ago to track and wound arguably the best performer and most experienced minister in Government, Mary Harney. And his vision is as grand as his experience in the practice of medicine and its politics.AspirationHe would like to introduce a universal free national health service -- but one that takes lessons from the mistakes made in Britain's NHS. It is a bold aspiration at a time of economic crisis when every other public service is being rolled back, but it doesn't faze Reilly. And his unshakeable confidence has stiffened the resolve of many in his parliamentary party.He originally opposed a free medical card for the over-70s but has since changed his mind and makes no apology for it.Both Labour and Fianna Fail sounded him out before he decided to run in Dublin North but with a brother as chairman of a Fine Gael branch he ran with his family's political brand.He was steeped in medicine and medical politics: both his parents were doctors and his dad was secretary general of the Irish Medical Association.Two brothers and a sister are doctors, two sisters are nurses and his eldest son is studying medicine.He has two big practices in north Dublin and also developed property there which funded a country estate in Tipperary and a fine family home in Rush.Like a successful chief executive or great physician, an ability to focus an impressive intelligence on a problem and examine all the options gives him a head start over many other politicians. It was a talent he brought to bear representing GPs when he led a team from the Irish Medical Organisation negotiating with the Department of Health for the free medical card for the over-70s.The government had a deadline of July 1, 2001 and needed an agreement more than the IMO, who sat back and watched the clock.He became president of the IMO in 2003, was chairman and president of the GP committee and their representative at the World Medical Association.Many professionals were taken aback when Reilly wept on television last year after nearly 100 women in Portlaoise needed further checks for breast cancer.But shedding a tear at yet another HSE debacle doesn't hinder his encyclopedic knowledge of the health service and how it doesn't work. And he is in for the long haul: with his family raised, James Reilly (53) would like to become minister for health more than anything else.Yet he should be careful what he wishes for: in the current political climate, it could come true. Download our iPhone App Now

Islanders and Argentina fall victim to IRB southern bias

LAST weekend once again highlighted the ridiculous situation regarding the Pacific Islanders, Argentina and their status in world rugby. It is criminal that neither has yet been offered meaningful, regular international competition. While logistical issues (particularly in the case of the Pumas) are most regularly cited by the IRB for the non-addition of the relevant teams to the Tri Nations or Six Nations, there is no lack of desire on the part of Argentina or the combined team of Fiji, Tonga and Samoa. Pacific Islanders captain Moses Rauluni spoke out strongly following their 39-13 loss to England and the Fijian believes the onus is on the IRB to create a level playing field."The islands have to play more themselves," said the 33-year-old scrum-half. "It's up to the unions and the big men at the IRB to decide our fate."After the scurrilous, political trade-off that saw New Zealand awarded the 2011 World Cup ahead of Japan, the IRB does not have a great record when it comes to strengthening the global game. A powerful Pacific Islanders would have recruitment implications for New Zealand and Australia, while the desperate introduction of the Experimental Law Variations was also blatantly designed to boost southern hemisphere, and more particularly ANZAC, rugby. Get set for 'brand' occasionNEXT Tuesday should be a wonderful occasion when Munster face the All Blacks in Thomond Park, 30 years after the famous 12-0 home victory at the same venue. Cynics may dismiss it as an exhibition match between two second-string selections. However, the tradition associated with two of the great rugby institutions means there will be a tremendous atmosphere, although it should be noted that Munster switching kit sponsors to Adidas, high-profile sponsors of the All Blacks, was a huge factor in this fixture going ahead. For all the excitement and talk of tradition, the commercial reality is that had Munster not changed suppliers, it could well have been a case of 'Impossible is Canterbury'.'QUOTE-UNQUOTE'"We got a bit of a rollicking. That was the angriest I've seen Warren." -- Wales flanker Martyn Williams reveals how coach Gatland lost the rag after their narrow defeat to South Africa."I think the thing with Gavin is that he's got to feel confident." -- While shyness has never been an issue for Welsh pin-up Gavin Henson, Gatland wants him to feel physically secure after his Achilles problems."New competitions cannot be forced through unilaterally against the wishes of their proposed participants. It's a nonsense." -- English clubs' representatives are unhappy with the union but rumours of consultation with Cork's hurlers could not be confirmed. RANKINGS WATCHWeekend results saw changes in the world rankings but thankfully not for Ireland, whose defeat of Canada -- coupled with losses for Scotland and Italy, to New Zealand and Australia respectively -- means Declan Kidney's men retain their eighth-place ranking with the World Cup 2011 draw now less than a month away.World rankings (last week's position in brackets) -- 1 (1) New Zealand 92.41; 2 (2) South Africa 88.28; 3 (3) Australia 85.65; 4 (5) England 83.16; 5 (4) Argentina 82.22; 6 (7) France 80.13; 7 (6) Wales 79.58; 8 (8) Ireland 77.18; 9 (9) Scotland 76.92; 10 (10) Italy 75.24.WEEKEND ODDS (best available)Wales 1/29 v Canada 24/1, draw 49/1; England 42/41 v Australia 13/14, draw 29/1; Scotland 8/1 v South Africa 1/11, draw 35/1; Ireland 4/1 v New Zealand 1/6, draw 25/1. Upcoming FixturesTodayMunster Schools Senior Cup: Newtown School v Midleton College, Newtown, 2.30.Tomorrow Friendly: Ulster v Portugal, Ravenhill, 7.30.Munster Schools Senior Cup: Abbey CBS v Youghal CS, Clanwilliam Park, 12.30.Friday Annual Colours Match: Dublin University v UCD, Donnybrook, 6.30.International Test: Wales v Canada, Millennium Stadium, 7.30.SaturdayInternational Tests: Ireland v New Zealand, Croke Park, 5.15; France v Pacific Islanders, Sochaux, 2.0; Italy v Argentina, Torino, 2.0; England v Australia, Twickenham, 2.30; Scotland v South Africa, Murrayfield, 2.30.- HUGH FARRELLY Download our iPhone App Now