The Taoiseach says government remains committed to implementing Slaintecare.
The future of the health reform plan has been thrown into doubt following three high profile resignations from its implementation advisory group.
The Health Minister has confirmed that'll now to be replaced with a new group with a shorter remit, focusing on regional health areas.
But Taoiseach Micheal Martin says government is still fully behind the plan.
"There is an issue around the stricture overseeing the implantation of Slaintecare, as between the office that had been established and its relationship with the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive.
"It's my understanding from the discussions that we have had, and an issue about regionalisation of the Health Service as per Slaintecare.
"Now, to be fair - I don't think that could have been attempted in the year of the pandemic."
