Tessa Fleming

But now tensions are surfacing and their differences over entering government have spilled out into the open.

So is this the beginning of the end for the Healy Ray dynasty?

And is their kingdom now divided?

I'm Tessa Fleming, and today on the IndoDaily, I'm joined by political correspondent at the Irish Independent, John Downing, and Gerry O'Sullivan, broadcaster with Radio Kerry, to discuss the fallout.

Gerry O'Sullivan, Michael Healy-Ray was on your programme, Kerry, today on Tuesday where he opened up about his resignation from government over the fuel protests.

Set the scene for us as to why he was on the programme.

Was he invited?

Was it him who asked to come on?

And was there any indication beforehand of these tensions between the brothers, Michael and Danny?

So take me back to Michael's interview on your programme.

Just what did he have to say?

Gerry, you know Kerry politics very, very well and the lay of the land in Kerry.

So what's your own take on the situation?

Was it a case that you think Michael had to resign after Danny's comments?

Well, when I think of the Healy Reyes, Danny and Michael, I mean, in my mind, they're kind of so bound up in politics together and they kind of come as a pair.

So when Michael came on your programme this week, I mean, how did you kind of view the relationship as it stands now after the fallout of the fuel protests and the resignation?

John Downing the Healy Ray family are one of Ireland's best known political dynasties you know stretching back to their father Jackie and now on to the next generation with Michael's son Jackie and his cousins Johnny and Maura they're all active in local politics in Kerry

But alongside that success, that political success, there have also been plenty of headlines over the years and no shortage of controversies as well for some of the Healy Rays.

And I want to start with one of Michael Healy Ray's biggest bust ups with Micheál Martin.

This was back in 2020.