A spokesman for Enda Kenny says the government remains fully committed to Universal Health Insurance.

The spokesman said the measure would be fundamental to a well-funded health system which would deliver health insurance for all in a timely way.

However, the health minister is briefing the cabinet this evening on reports indicating the scheme may cost up to €650 million and might not offer value for money.

Fianna Fáil says such a major U-turn ought to be a resigning matter for both Minister Varadkar and the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, but that it was now too close to the election to bother seeking the resignation of either.

Fianna Fail's Health spokesperson Billy Kelleher told the Last Word that his party came to the conclusion that UHI was not viable some time ago:

However one Labour minister this morning said UHI remained a government policy - though warning that it could only be introduced at a reasonable cost.

Earlier our political correspondent Gavan Reilly filed this report for Today FM's National Lunchtime News: