James Reilly has said he is an "integral" part of the Government amid speculation that he could be dismissed from the Cabinet.
The Fine Gael deputy leader is likely to be one of the casualties in the Cabinet reshuffle, due to take place after the next Labour leader is elected.
Minister Reilly made his comments in the Dáil today, responding to a Fianna Fáil accusation that he was not doing enough to deal with hospital waiting lists.
He said the entire Government was committed to fixing the health service, and that he was a key part of that plan.
"Can I say I am part of a Government that is committed to all of this," he said. "I do not set myself aside from that Government. I am an integral part of it, and we are all striving to fix this."