Patrick O'Donovan's duties reassigned temporarily

The Tánaiste has announced that Minister Peter Burke will take over responsibility for Minister Patrick O'Donovan's portfolio during his recovery from illness.

During the period, Mr O'Donovan will remain a Cabinet Minister without a portfolio.

Mr O'Donovan fell ill at an EU event in Co Limerick last month and was taken to University Hospital Limerick for treatment.

He has spoken openly about being diagnosed with epilepsy.

Following his hospitalisation, his family said he would return to his department "as soon as new treatment has bedded down".

In a statement today, Mr O'Donovan said: "I want to thank all of those who have been in touch in recent weeks and have wished me well in my recovery. I am heartened by the support they have offered to me and my family at this time.

"I want to particularly thank the Tánaiste for his consistent and ongoing support for me and for my work, which I look forward to returning to in due course.

"I want to thank Minister Burke for temporarily agreeing to assume my responsibilities in the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport."

Last week, Tánaiste Simon Harris confirmed he had spoken to Mr O'Donovan on the phone shortly before the Minister for Culture fell ill and was taken to hospital.

Mr Harris insisted the call was "routine" and not "heated", and made it clear he had not asked his party colleague to stand down as a minister.

Speculation has been rife in Leinster House over the events that immediately preceded Mr O'Donovan taking ill as he hosted a meeting with EU telecommunications ministers in Limerick last month.

Shortly before becoming unwell in Limerick, Mr O'Donovan had criticised anonymous briefings from Government and party colleagues questioning whether his ill health would result in him losing his Cabinet position.

He had described those remarks as "hurtful" and the "ultimate betrayal".

The events played out as the minister was also facing scrutiny for his handling of a €20m cut to RTÉ's state funding that was announced in the budget.

In a statement in the days after the incident in Limerick, Mr Harris offered support to Mr O'Donovan and condemned the anonymous briefings against the minister as "hurtful" and warned they would not be tolerated within Fine Gael.

The Tánaiste was off on a two-week period of paternity leave at the time.

Having returned to work last week, Mr Harris faced questions on the issues around Mr O'Donovan.

He confirmed he had called Mr O'Donovan prior to him falling unwell at the EU conference.

"Yes, I did speak to him on Tuesday during that conference," he said.

"Conversations that I have with my ministers are private. The way I've seen them characterised is inaccurate. Patrick is doing well. I look forward to welcoming Patrick back to work. It was really good to be with him and with his family last night."

Pressed on whether he had asked the minister to consider his position on the call, Mr Harris replied "absolutely not", describing the suggestion as "bizarre" and "so far from reality".