The full text of Mr Smith's letter of apology to the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern.
14th November, 2003
Dear Taoiseach, I regret sincerely the effects of my intervention concerning the Nenagh hospital on Monday evening. I had no intention of breaching collective cabinet responsibility in relation to the Hanly Report. As you know I accept fully the core principles of the Hanly Report.
You will also be aware that the Government, in its decision, relative to the Hanly Report accepted that there were considerable local implications in the Report and that demographic and geographic consideration would have to be acknowledged. It was this aspect of the matter to which I continually referred to in my statements.
I had never any intention of breaching the rules of collective cabinet responsibility or undermining the efforts of public representatives to implement Government policy and it was primarily the geographic aspect of the Government Decision on which I was concentrating in my statements.
I had no intention whatever of disagreeing with you publicly on the issue and I regret that that interpretation has been put on it by some people.
As you are aware I have been party, as a member of this Government, to many tough decisions and all I want to do now is to get on with the Business of Government and get back to working hard, on a daily basis, for the people of this country including my constituents.
I propose to issue the attached statement in an effort to clarify matters for the public.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Smith, T.D.
Minister for Defence