There is a serious danger now the budget will not be passed, the independent deputy for Tipperary North, Michael Lowry, has said.
Responding to the decision of Donegal deputy Dr Jim McDaid to resign his Dáil seat, Mr Lowry told The Irish Times he would decide how he would vote near to or on the day of the budget's announcement.
“Obviously Jackie Healy Rae’s and my support is now more crucial than it has been in the past but in my mind all of the time is that the country is on the brink of losing its economic independence.”
Mr Lowry said he believed the people wanted a Government and wanted leadership. While he thought there was a serious danger now that the budget would fall, he thought the Opposition had a responsibility in this regard. It should not put the country’s economy in jeopardy and its future in jeopardy for the sake of having an election.
“I believe an election is inevitable, but I don’t believe the political parties should use the economy to force an election. The issues of the day should be addressed and then let us consider the timing of an election,” he said.
Asked if this meant he was going to support the budget, he said he would decide on that when he knew the detail. He would decide on the basis of whether the budget was balanced and fair and in particular whether it ensured that those who have most, pay most, and those that are vulnerable are protected to the greatest extent.
Mr Lowry said he is to get briefings from officials in the Department of Finance. When the Government had completed more of its deliberations and he had been briefed, he would be in a better position to decide.
“I am willing to support a budget that is practical and fair and just and has equality of distribution in terms of the pain.”
He said Dr McDaid’s decision came as a shock and he didn’t see the rationale behind it. “I believe it is also a very poor decision at a time of national crisis.”