Government damaged following Dáil vote
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What led to Michael Healy Ray's resignation from the government?
Man overboard, well, two men actually, as the Healy Rays pull the plug on their support for the coalition. The government still handily won a vote of confidence in the Dáil, but is this a portent of a splintering of support as the economic clouds turn darker by the minute? To find out how Michael Healy Ray's decision to surrender his junior ministerial position is going down in his Kerry constituency, Brian O'Connell has been to Killarney this morning.
Well, something had to give, like, you know what I mean? Things have gone through the roof, like, even for us now, for one fill alone, and it's gone up 30 euros. That's a lot, and I can understand their pride, like, and it affects everyone who's down the line. And what did you think, then, of Michael Healy-Ray stepping down from government? Right decision? Right decision. It had to be done, like. Things are happening left, right and centre, and everybody's suffering, like. Something had to give. Their dues, the boys, they stood up. And with Michael Haley Ray last night stepping down from government? I got a bit of a surprise.
How are constituents reacting to Healy Ray's decision?
I didn't really hear about it. Yeah, you didn't think he'd step down? I didn't even know he was thinking about it. Well, I suppose they had a point. There's no doubt costs have gone up, but they've gone up for everybody. From just a regular person who's not in business to Harley, and I sympathise with those people, is the fuel costs in getting a tank of oil. And we're paying an average of €850 in excess of €850 now for an average of 500 litres. Did you think Michael Hillyway was right to step down from government last night? I think he was under pressure. I think he was under pressure locally. There was a lot of negativity that he was speaking out of both sides of his mouth. I think he was between a rock and a hard place.
The question is, did he do the right thing? Is he better inside looking out than outside looking in? What do you think?
What are the implications of the Dáil vote of confidence?
It's a hard call, and I'm sure it was a hard call. He's a hard worker, there's no doubt about it. The man works hard. He had a decision to make. And time is going to tell, you know. Either way, that government is there to stay. And he's now... They have the numbers. They have the numbers. He's outside looking in rather than inside looking out.
Mixed views there in Kerry where there are two more opposition TDs this morning. Well, last night a €505 million package was passed in the Dáil. But will the reductions be passed on? Will it ease costs and will it be extended beyond July? For more on this, I'm joined in studio by Colm Brophy, Minister of State for Migration and Fine Gael TD for Dublin South West and on the line by David Cullinan, Sinn Féin TD for Waterford. Good morning to you both.
How does the government plan to address rising costs?
You're very welcome. Minister, whatever else one can say about Michael Healy-Ray, he knows which way the wind is blowing. The fact that he pulled out of this government suggests that there is a serious backlash against you out there in the country. Do you really think you can survive the full term?
Yes, absolutely. I think this government has the strength and will survive the full term.
Are any of the other independents probably?
I think we've made it very clear, and I think the Tánaiste has been particularly clear on this, that we will have a programme of budgets and we will... and make sure, and we're very clear as well on making sure that we're listening to people and implementing what we believe are the right steps. And just to put one thing on record, and I think this is important, what Fianna Gaelan government has done for many, many years has actually ensured that the country is in a position to weather shocks like this and to actually be able to put in programmes, which between the two programmes... is literally three quarters of a billion to enable us to actually hear when people are talking to us about what they want us to do and how we need to react to that.
That doesn't happen by accident. That happens by prude, solid financial management. People like Pascal Donoghue, people like Simon Harris, making sure that the country has the resources to do it.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What led to Michael Healy Ray's resignation from the government?
0:00–0:59
2
How are constituents reacting to Healy Ray's decision?
0:59–1:46
3
What are the implications of the Dáil vote of confidence?
1:46–2:29
4
How does the government plan to address rising costs?
2:29–3:47
5
What are the main criticisms of the current government?
3:47–6:24
6
How is Sinn Féin's perspective on government actions presented?
6:24–8:22
7
What measures are being proposed to support citizens during the crisis?
8:22–10:15
8
What is the future outlook for the government following these events?
10:15–17:54