Politics

Michael Noonan ‘back on the road again’ after hospitalisation

Minister said chest infection did not respond to antibiotics and developed into pneumonia

Minister for Finance Michael Noonan at the Department of Finance. Photograph: Eric Luke / The Irish Times
Minister for Finance Michael Noonan at the Department of Finance. Photograph: Eric Luke / The Irish Times
Fiach Kelly
Tue Jan 05 2016 - 14:51

Minister for Finance Michael Noonan has said he is "back on the road again" following a period spent in hospital over Christmas.

Mr Noonan spent Christmas in hospital, where he underwent a medical procedure, after doctors diagnosed a chest infection.The 72-year-old has committed to contesting the general election in Limerick city.

Speaking on Tuesday afternoon, Mr Noonan said: “I had an illness over the Christmas. I had a chest infection. The infection didn’t respond to antibiotics so it developed into pneumonia so I was hospitalised over the Christmas. I’m back on the road again now.”

Mr Noonan was speaking at a press conference with Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin to mark the release of the 2015 Exchequer return figures, which showed a small deficit of €62 million.

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Joking about his relationship with Mr Howlin, Mr Noonan said: “The double act here continues.”

Mr Noonan has already insisted he wants to be returned to the Department of Finance if the party is re-elected to government.