The Health Minister James Reilly has rejected opposition suggestions that he shoved the HSE chief executive Cathal Magee out of his job.
Reilly said Magee made a decision to step down from the HSE of his own accord.
He made the remarks as he announced a new structure for the HSE which will see seven new directors appointed to manage specific areas of the service.
They include primary care, hospitals, mental health and family services.
The Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said Cathal Magee was an effective administrator and Dr Reilly is responsible for shoving him out of his job.
But Reilly replied by saying: "Cathal Magee is a man I repsect and I respect his decision. This is his decision and his alone.
"As regards to the comments of Micheál Martin, who had charge of the health portfolio for four years and produced many reports but very little else, I have no further comment to make. I will make them in the Dáil chamber."