John Halligan says he will remain in government and carry on his duties as a minister.

But it’s not clear whether the junior minister is accepting defeat in his bid for 24-hour cardiac care in Waterford.

The government has been almost paralysed in the last week over whether John Halligan would resign - and, more crucially, whether his vote was no longer assured.

But he last night told RTE his was remaining in government - and would continue his duties as a junior minister in the Departments of Education and Jobs.

What’s not clear is whether he will still intends to continue his campaign for a second cath lab in Waterford - or his relationship with fellow ministers.

The Independent Alliance is set to meet this week - with his criticism of Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, labelled an ‘idiot’ in his interview with the Sunday Independent, still ringing in their ears.

But it will be some welcome news for Fine Gael on day 2 of their pre-Dáil think-in in Newbridge - after their first day was slightly overshadowed about doubts in his future, and by extension the lifetime of the government.