Minister for Children breaks down about his son during radio interview

Minister for Children, James Reilly, because emotional today during an interview on The Ray D'arcy Show on RTÉ Radio One.

Discussing his time as Minister for Health, the TD for Dublin North expressed his regret over the controversial medical card issue.

The move, which caused public outcry, saw seriously ill children have their discretionary medical cards revoked.

Commenting on the decision, Mr. Reilly said: "I had no real choice because of the money situation we found ourselves in. I mean, having said that, I never thought that's where I'd end up as minister and as a parent of a child with a disability, taking cards off children with a disability."

The mention of Mr. Reilly's son Jamie caused the TD to falter momentarily as he discussed his son's autism diagnosis at the age of three.

Speaking about the diagnosis. an extremely emotional Mr. Reilly revealed: "I sat at the end of the bed and I still remember, I suppose, both me and my wife as we looked at our beautiful boy, [we] thought his future was gone. But thankfully we were wrong and the one message I would give to parents is let nobody set a limit on your child's horizon."

Upon composing himself, the former Minister for Health spoke in glowing terms of his son who, despite his diagnosis, has been awarded a PhD in Autism and Stem Cell research.

The Minister said he feels that it's the government's responsibility to ensure all children reach their full potential by "maximising supports."