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Finance Minister Brian Lenihan in Brussels in November Yves Logghe/AP/Press Association Images
Lenihan

Lenihan's condition has not worsened but remains

Fianna Fáil TD Mary O’Rourke moved to reassure the public about the health of Finance Minister Brian Lenihan yesterday.

MINISTER FOR FINANCE Brian Lenihan has concluded radiotherapy and chemotherapy and his condition is stable, according to his aunt Fianna Fáil TD Mary O’Rourke.

When asked about the minister’s health during an interview with Ryan Tubridy on 2FM, O’Rourke said: ”He is not taking treatment any more, neither the radium nor the chemo — that has finished since last June/July. The cancer remains; it didn’t grow and it did not go away. So it remains and, therefore, that is his exact state of health . . . but he remains very strong.

O’Rourke said she worried about Mr Lenihan “all the time”, saying: “It’s actually my waking thought.”

Speaking about his condition earlier this year, Lenihan said “It’s there, and it is a danger, but it’s not an immediate or clear or present danger to me.”

O’Rourke said that she felt Cowen should lead the party into the election, but after that point Lenihan would be a good choice for leader of Fianna Fáíl if his “health could bear it”.

Listen to the RTÉ interview here >