Taoiseach Micheál Martin has denied suggestions that a "Heneghan deal" was struck as part of Government formation talks, despite suggestions from Barry Heneghan and his team.
However, Deputy Heneghan told the Irish Mirror that if "people want to call it a deal" he would not argue with that, but added he respects that the Taoiseach prefers a different framing.
The Independent TD for Dublin Bay North was part of the Regional Independent Group of TDs, which negotiated the programme for government.
On Wednesday, Deputy Heneghan issued a press release welcoming "€240 million for major health infrastructure projects in Beaumont Hospital and Raheny under the HSE Capital Plan 2025".
The release included a quote from former Disabilities Minister and Deputy Heneghan’s "advisor," Finian McGrath.
He said: "It’s great to see the 'HENEGHAN DEAL' coming to fruition, long may it continue."
The Government has repeatedly insisted that it had not struck any constituency deals with Independent TDs as part of Government formation talks.
Asked by the Irish Mirror what else was in the Heneghan deal and what other deals had been struck, the Taoiseach dismissed its existence.
He also accused Mr McGrath of "hyperbole".
Mr Martin said: "There is no constituency deal. There is no Heneghan deal.
"To be fair to Finian, he would have form in the odd bout of hyperbole.
"But the bottom line is, are you seriously suggesting investment in the A&E in Beaumont Hospital constitutes some part of a deal?
"I mean, that is on track. You don't get announcements like that in a capital programme unless there's a lot of preparatory work in advance in respect of the design and stuff like that. So that's an investment that we welcome is obviously what we want to do in terms of Beaumont Hospital.
"He [Deputy Heneghan] has prioritised that. It's not a part of any deal.
"But he has obviously prioritised that. I’d say he welcomes the fact that it's not happening. But as I said, these investments have a significant journey, as we all know."
Mr Heneghan told the Irish Mirror that he had said "directly and repeatedly to both the Taoiseach and Tánaiste" Simon Harris during government formation talks that he wanted investment in Beaumont Hospital.
He said: "There is a key list of priorities that I've consistently pushed for since I've entered the Dáil.
"The new A&E and Beaumont Hospital was item one on that list from the beginning.
"When I was in negotiations, there were key issues I wanted to see. I can understand that there were no formal signatures.
"There’s a difference between a formal deal and a clear political understanding.
"I wanted to see investment into Beaumont Hospital. I said it directly and repeatedly to both the Taoiseach and Tánaiste.
"If people want to call it a deal, I won’t argue. I respect that the Taoiseach prefers a different framing."
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