Agreement has been reached between the Departments of Health and Finance on funding for the phased opening of some €400 million worth of healthcare facilities lying idle across the State because there has been no money to staff and equip them.
The Minister for Health, Mr Martin, told the The Irish Times that his Department was "in a position to start negotiations with the health boards in relation to the opening of those units".
He said the "accommodation" reached with the Department of Finance would allow for the phased opening of the units over the next two years.
"They are not all going to be opened at the same time. There are equipping issues, but we have a framework agreed with Finance whereby over the next two years we can open these units on a phased basis. Some are being equipped as we speak," he said.
Idle units include a new wing at James Connolly Memorial Hospital in Blanchardstown, Dublin; a surgical building at the South Tipperary General Hospital in Clonmel; a new maternity unit at Letterkenny General Hospital; an orthopaedic unit at Mayo General Hospital; a new A&E unit at Cork University Hospital; a medical assessment unit at Sligo General Hospital; a new health centre in Ballymun; and a new unit at Dublin's St James's Hospital.
Asked if he felt it would be easier for a Minister for Health to get more money out of the Department of Finance following the departure to Brussels of Mr Charlie McCreevy, he said there would always be tension between both Departments because one was a spending Department and the other was a Department which had to control spending.
Mr Martin, who would not be drawn on where he would like to be in Cabinet after the reshuffle, said he was "a bit surprised" at Mr McCreevy's appointment as Ireland's next EU commissioner.
"I think it's a bold move, and I hope that Charlie gets an economic portfolio. First of all from a strategic prospective it's a good move for Ireland in the sense that there have always been certain issues around taxation, harmonisation, the economy and how we run an economy, and it's generally regarded that the European economy has been somewhat sluggish over the last number of years. To a certain extent the enterprise culture and economic policies followed in Ireland could help the European experience."
He added that the decision to choose Mr McCreevy for the job was a good one as the outgoing Minister for Finance was "a heavyweight".
And despite all the tensions between the Ministers over funding for the health service, he would miss Mr McCreevy.
"On a personal level, we'll miss him. He's an outstanding character. To me one of his best attributes, which at times can frustrate people but it's a very good attribute to have in politics, is that he has a very independent way of thinking, and does not allow himself to be unduly pressurised into doing somersaults or changing positions overnight.
"He has weathered many a storm and took on many interests over his career, and he has had a very unique style in that sense." A full interview with Mr Martin will be published in Tuesday's Irish Times Health Supplement.