THE GOVERNMENT’S victory in the Dáil by 85 votes to 79 on a motion of confidence secured its future for the present but the margin means that its fate now depends on the continued support of the Green Party.
When the Government was formed in June 2007, it was widely described as a four-legged stool with 78 Fianna Fáil TDs, six Greens, two Progressive Democrat TDs and three Independents propping it up.
At that stage with a majority of 89 to 76, it could have survived the defection of the Green Party, but that is no longer the case.
If three of the Government supporters now switch sides, its majority would vanish and it would have to depend on the casting vote of the Ceann Comhairle. The defection of any more deputies would spell the end.
While North Tipperary Independent TD Michael Lowry voted with the Coalition in yesterday’s division, there is some worry on the Government side that his support for the budget later in the year cannot be relied upon.
The defection of Mr Lowry to the Opposition would reduce the Government’s majority dangerously. The pivotal role of the Greens in keeping the Coalition in office will put the focus on the internal consultation in the party that is expected to continue over the summer.
During the two-day Dáil debate, Government speakers rejected the claim from the Opposition that they no longer had a mandate to govern because of the results of the local and European elections.
A number of Ministers insisted that if they responded to the setback in the local elections by dissolving the Dáil, they would undermine the authority of any government to take difficult decisions in office. Government speakers also pointed to the policy differences between Fine Gael and Labour on vital issues such as public spending and how to deal with the banking crisis. New TDs George Lee and Maureen O’Sullivan made their maiden speeches to the Dáil.
Mr Lee said he wanted to disagree with the Taoiseach’s claim that he had a continued mandate to govern.
“I do not agree because I just received a mandate from the people of Dublin South that is equal to anybody’s on the other side of the House . . . Every member in this House has a mandate but nobody was given a mandate to govern from the people.
“The mandate for governing is an arrangement with the members of this House . . . based on a premise for the economy which turned out to be false. The Government has an agreement but not a mandate to govern,” he said.
Independent TD Maureen O’Sullivan said it was immoral that millions could be found to cover the mistakes of those in industry and banks who should have been guided by social conscience instead of greed.