Health care formed part of the portfolio of the
Minister for Local Government and Public Health until 22 January 1947. On that date, the new position of Minister for Health was created, with control of policy regarding health care provision in Ireland. In the past, it was common for the minister to also hold the position of
Minister for Social Welfare. In recent years, and especially since the tenure of
Michael Noonan in 1994–1997, being appointed as minister has become somewhat of a "poisoned chalice" in government circles and a portfolio to be avoided by aspiring politicians, during his tenure
Brian Cowen referred to the Department of Health as
Angola because there were landmines everywhere. A number of scandals, mostly due to
medical negligence, have meant that the minister immediately becomes identified with the scandal. For instance, the
Hepatitis C scandal, the withholding of baby organs without parental consent or knowledge, the
Michael Neary saga in Drogheda and other high-profile medical scandals have dogged the minister and department. Additionally the minister has to deal with logistic issues not seen in other departments such as strikes, shortages and queues which are all too familiar in clinics and hospitals around the country. ==Overview==