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06/08/2009
Heavyweight TDs Quit Fianna Fail
The Government has been rocked after the resignation of two senior figures from the leading Fianna Fail party.
Sligo-North Leitrim deputies, Jimmy Devins and Eamon Scanlon, surrendered the party whip in protest against the highly contentious transfer of breast cancer services from Sligo to Galway.
But the resignations would deal a double blow to the Government if the two TDs leave the party, as Fianna Fail's majority would be cut to 82, tied with the rest of the Daíl.
Both TDs publicly expressed their "disappointment" with the Government's failure to stop the transfer from Sligo to Galway. However, there is scepticism that the perceived martyrdom of the move will save the Sligo facility, while the resignations have prompted accusations of "window dressing".
On RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr Scanlon said if the Opposition tabled a private members' motion on the issue, he would vote against the Government, but Mr Scanlon refused to say how he would vote on other issues and said the decision was a tough one.
Save Our Cancer Services spokeswoman Lily McMorrow called the decision a "choreographed charade", saying it had been a decision based on political survival.
Meanwhile Fine Gael Sligo TD John Perry dismissed the move as "cynical" calling on them to vote against the Government until the Sligo decision was rescinded. "It is total window dressing, because the Dail is in recess," he said.
If the two TDs do vote against the Government the Taoiseach Brian Cowen could lose out in crucial votes on his plans for the economy. Yet more worrying for the Government, who are currently behind in the polls, is that a failure to have their upcoming tough budget ratified by a Daíl majority could trigger a premature General Election.
(DW/BMcc)
Sligo-North Leitrim deputies, Jimmy Devins and Eamon Scanlon, surrendered the party whip in protest against the highly contentious transfer of breast cancer services from Sligo to Galway.
But the resignations would deal a double blow to the Government if the two TDs leave the party, as Fianna Fail's majority would be cut to 82, tied with the rest of the Daíl.
Both TDs publicly expressed their "disappointment" with the Government's failure to stop the transfer from Sligo to Galway. However, there is scepticism that the perceived martyrdom of the move will save the Sligo facility, while the resignations have prompted accusations of "window dressing".
On RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr Scanlon said if the Opposition tabled a private members' motion on the issue, he would vote against the Government, but Mr Scanlon refused to say how he would vote on other issues and said the decision was a tough one.
Save Our Cancer Services spokeswoman Lily McMorrow called the decision a "choreographed charade", saying it had been a decision based on political survival.
Meanwhile Fine Gael Sligo TD John Perry dismissed the move as "cynical" calling on them to vote against the Government until the Sligo decision was rescinded. "It is total window dressing, because the Dail is in recess," he said.
If the two TDs do vote against the Government the Taoiseach Brian Cowen could lose out in crucial votes on his plans for the economy. Yet more worrying for the Government, who are currently behind in the polls, is that a failure to have their upcoming tough budget ratified by a Daíl majority could trigger a premature General Election.
(DW/BMcc)
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