Several weeks ago, in light of the revelations of breast cancer mis-diagnoses, this column described the Minister for Health's position as 'embattled' and 'indefensible'.

It is to be assumed that Ms Harney has survived last night's vote in Dáil Eireann, and perhaps sighs of relief have echoed around its corridors. The reality of the situation however is that absolutely nothing has changed - indeed, as more revelations concerning incomprehensible delays in breast checks are revealed, the situation, if anything, is worse than was previously thought.

In fairness to Minister Harney, she has been carrying the can for many of her predecessors over the last few weeks. As with many areas of public services, the health sector is in reality only emerging from the 1980s and nowhere near the justifiable expectations of 2007's Irish public. The embarrassing game of catch up continues and Ms Harney was left without a chair when the music stopped.

In Cork, Deputy Ned O'Keeffe voiced the concerns of many this week and was quickly put back in his box by his party. Elsewhere, opposition parties ran with the political football, mostly chosing to make the Minister a scapegoat for endemic problems in the health service.

Will they now, however, proceed onwards to throw a spotlight on the minutae of the many areas in health in need of redress?

By the same token, will the Minister begin to address the top-heavy nature of the health service and find ways of re-assuring a very sceptical public that this most important of government portfolios is in capable hands and their health, even their lives, are of the utmost consideration.

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