THE THREAT by Independent TD for Galway West, Noel Grealish, to vote against the Government over health cuts in the west has cast fresh doubts over whether the Fianna Fáil-Green Party Coalition can last a full term until 2012.
The former Progressive Democrats TD said yesterday he would have no hesitation in voting against the Government if it failed to protect frontline services and the most vulnerable in society.
However, a senior Government Minister said he had no doubt the Coalition will last the full five-year term.
Minister for Enterprise Batt O’Keeffe said he was confident Fianna Fáil would stage a strong recovery and the next general election in 2012 was “all to play for”.
Mr Grealish said his threat to vote against the Government was not an idle one. He said he had been a loyal, solid supporter of the Government since the PDs were abolished.
“For me it is one cutback too many when staff providing essential services are let go by the HSE while billions continues to be pumped into the banks.
“Have we gone too far with the banks? Where is it going to end? When we started out with recapitalisation we were told it was going to be between €5 and €7 billion. Now it’s up to €30 billion and rising. Enough is enough,” said Mr Grealish.
However, in an earlier interview with The Irish Times, Mr O'Keeffe said he had no doubt the Government would survive until the end of its term.
He based his view on the strong partnership and high level of trust between Fianna Fáil and the Greens.
“The important thing that has come out of this is that both parties have indicated clearly that they want to see this Government last and they are committed to having it last.
“There is an absolute commitment to it on both sides,” he said.
Mr O’Keeffe, a TD for Cork North West, was speaking in the wake of a series of defections and illnesses that have served to make the Government’s position less secure than at that start of 2010.
These include the retirement of Martin Cullen; developments where a number of Fianna Fáil Oireachtas members lost the party whip; the two Independent TDs who support the Government opposing stag hunting legislation; and the fact that a small number of Fianna Fáil TDs have serious medical conditions that might necessitate resignation on health grounds.
The Government is also facing increasing pressure to hold the three byelections, in Donegal South West, Waterford and Dublin South. If, as expected, Opposition parties win all three, the Government will have to rely on the support of Independents.
Mr O’Keeffe said that, notwithstanding the changes, he had no doubt the Government would survive.
He said next December’s budget, which will seek €3 billion in cutbacks and taxes, may well prove to be a turning point in this electoral cycle.
“At the end of the budget, we can hold our heads up and say it was tough but fair.”
Mr O’Keeffe, the Taoiseach’s closest confidant in Cabinet, contended that Mr Cowen had shown real leadership during the crisis and claimed that would yield political dividends for Fianna Fáil.
“He has stuck hard and fast by the notion that the nation comes first and the party comes second.
“Two years away from an election we are still convinced in Fianna Fáil that it’s all to play for.
“From Cork, we are used to good ground hurling. And for the most part we ignore the hurlers on the ditch,” he said.
Mr Grealish is one of four Independent deputies who have arrangements with Mr Cowen to support the Government.
They include his former party leader Mary Harney, who is Minster for Health, the Tipperary North TD Michael Lowry, and the South Kerry deputy Jackie Healy Rae.