GPs have dubbed James Reilly as the worst Health Minister in the history of the state.
The comments were made at the AGM of the National Association of GPs in Limerick.
Many of the delegates have criticised the government for implementing policies designed to boost election votes.
And they claim Minister Reilly - who was in charge of the department of Health from 2011 until July of this year - did more damage to the health service than any other Minister before him.
President of the Association, Doctor Conor McGee, says older patients and those in rural areas have been hit hardest:
