Organisations representing doctors and other professionals in the health service have welcomed the appointment of the Tánaiste, Ms Harney, as the new Minister for Health.
They said they looked forward to her adopting a fresh approach to the problems besetting the health service.
The president of the Irish Medical Organisation, Dr James Reilly, wished Ms Harney well as she embarked on "a daunting task". He looked forward to a new approach but warned that family doctors would have to be paid the money owed them in the latest pay round before they would be engaging with her.
If that and other industrial relations issues were tackled, he said, Ms Harney would find the IMO more than willing to engage with her in a spirit of true partnership on the health service reform programme.
"Primary care offers so many possibilities and can form a major part of tackling the problems that beset our health service if it is properly resourced, and we look forward to exploring means of doing that with her," he added.
Hospital consultants called for an early meeting with the new Minister to try and sort out their long-running concerns over the withdrawal by the Medical Defence Union of insurance cover for historic claims made against some obstetricians and surgeons.
Mr Finbarr Fitzpatrick, secretary general of the Irish Hospital Consultants' Association, said his organisation had long advocated major structural reform, such as the welcome abolition of the health boards and targeting of financial resources to ensure sufficient hospital beds and other vital hospital facilities.
Her role was, he said, an "onerous" one but he said Ms Harney had demonstrated courage, ability and vision - qualities which were vital to ensure the delivery of a first-class healthcare service to all Irish citizens.