SOME FIANNA Fáil TDs may not be prepared to vote for legislation to implement key Green Party measures in the Programme for Government, a backbencher has warned.
Carlow-Kilkenny TD Bobby Aylward said his support could not be relied on when it comes to votes in the Dáil on issues such as animal welfare, the Planning Bill or a ban on corporate donations.
“If it means there is going to be a break-up of the Coalition so be it. At this stage I am not going to be coerced into voting for another party’s agenda,” said Mr Aylward.
He said that, as a representative of a rural area, he would be looking carefully at issues such as the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill and the proposed ban on stag hunting to see how they affected his constituents.
“I also have issues with the Planning Bill. It’s as if to say all of us involved in local government are gangsters. I served on a council for 15 years and I never felt I did anything wrong,” said Mr Aylward.
“The tail is not going to wag the dog and Mr Gormley can think again if he expects us to accept some of the things he is proposing,” said the TD.
Mr Gormley concluded his keynote address to his party’s annual convention in Waterford on Saturday night by making a reference to the thousands of rural dwellers who had protested outside the conference centre earlier in the day against the proposed ban on stag hunting and other animal rights measures.
“The protests outside today confirm only one thing: that we are making a difference in Government. And those on horseback and on the soap boxes should know this: your actions serve only to make us more determined than ever to make the changes that are needed,” he said.
The Minister for the Environment also defended the Planning Bill and limitations it will put on the power of local authorities.
Another Kilkenny TD, John McGuinness, said yesterday he would challenge the leadership of Taoiseach Brian Cowen directly at the weekly meeting of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party tomorrow night.
“A new style of politics is needed. We need an energetic, dynamic party leader who will communicate effectively with the public and restore their confidence in the whole process of politics and the policies we are pursuing,” he said.
The party meeting is scheduled for 5.30pm but this is likely to clash with the major announcement on a rescue plan for the banks by Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan at 6pm.