The Minister for Health has insisted that plans for universal health insurance won't threaten the viability of the state.
James Reilly's comments come after newspaper reports that civil servants believe the scheme could cost up to 5 billion euro a year.
But one of his cabinet colleagues has said the scheme can only come "at the right price" - and also suggested that further investigation of bugging at the Garda Ombudsman's office is needed.
Our political correspondent Gavan Reilly reports.
