Minister for Communications Patrick O\u2019Donovan will continue to serve in Cabinet when he recovers from illness, Fine Gael leader and T\u00e1naiste Simon Harris has said.<\/p>\n
O\u2019Donovan remains at University Hospital Limerick after being taken ill on Tuesday. He was to hospital by ambulance while hosting an informal meeting of EU telecoms ministers.<\/p>\n
Earlier that day, O\u2019Donovan had hit back at \u201cbetrayal\u201d in his party following reports of private discussions on whether his health could preclude him from serving in Government.<\/p>\n
He was previously hospitalised during the summer while on an official trip to Brussels. O\u2019Donovan was diagnosed with epilepsy 10 years ago.<\/p>\n
In a statement on Friday night, Harris, who is currently on paternity leave, said O\u2019Donovan was \u201ca valued member\u201d of the Government and would continue to serve.<\/p>\n
\u201cFollowing an update from Minister Patrick O\u2019Donovan\u2019s family this evening, on behalf of Fine Gael, I want to acknowledge and thank members and supporters for their well wishes for Patrick and his family in recent days,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile he remains in hospital, Patrick continues to receive fantastic care from the staff of the HSE at University Hospital Limerick. We are all hoping for his swift recovery and return to work as soon as is possible.<\/p>\n
\u201cPatrick is a valued member of Fine Gael and the Cabinet. He has served the people of Limerick and this party with pride for over two decades.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have been pleased to appoint him on two occasions to Cabinet and he serves with distinction in a key Government department and naturally will continue to do so.\u201d<\/p>\n
Harris said the party \u2013 both in Limerick and nationally \u2013 was \u201cbehind him\u201d, and wished O\u2019Donovan and his family well \u201cduring this challenging period\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cPatrick has been incredibly open about the challenges he has faced with his health,\u201d Harris said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI have seen first-hand how, despite those challenges, he has worked diligently and competently in every role he has been entrusted with and it is my firm belief that will continue long into the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
Harris added: \u201cCommentary about his health and political future by anonymous sources was hurtful, has no place in the Fine Gael party and will not be tolerated.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile I am on paternity leave, I remain in contact with his family. l look forward to welcoming Patrick back to his Cabinet duties as soon as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
A statement by O\u2019Donovan\u2019s family on his Instagram page said he was undergoing treatment.<\/p>\n
\u201cPatrick\u2019s interdisciplinary team at University Hospital Limerick are working with him to ensure his return to his department as soon as new treatment has bedded down,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is heartened by the support for his long-term Cabinet career demonstrated by his colleagues.\u201d <\/p>\n
O\u2019Donovan has previously spoken about his experience living with the condition<\/a>.<\/p>\n Before being hospitalised on this occasion, the Co Limerick TD had hit back against critics within his own party, Fine Gael, accusing those who commented on his health of \u201cthe ultimate in betrayal<\/a>\u201d.<\/p>\n He was responding to briefings against him in coverage of the budget<\/a> rows he became embroiled in last week.<\/p>\n In addition to questions over his temperament, a Fine Gael<\/a> TD was quoted at the weekend suggesting that people within the parliamentary party were questioning whether O\u2019Donovan was healthy enough to continue in his role.<\/p>\n A Cabinet source in the party was quoted as suggesting a discussion on whether he was \u201cwell enough\u201d to retain his portfolio was likely.<\/p>\n O\u2019Donovan had been at the centre of a post-budget controversy after first failing to secure funding to support his heavily publicised culture card initiative<\/a> for 16- and 17-year-olds.<\/p>\n