Taoiseach denies pushing Michael Healy-Rae out of Government

There was “a lot behind” Michael Healy-Rae’s decision to resign from Government, the Taoiseach said, as he denied pushing the junior minister out of his post.

Michael Healy-Rae and his brother Danny Healy-Rae voted against the Government in a confidence motion last Tuesday, with the former resigning as a junior minister in spectacular fashion.

They had been among several independent TDs who supported the formation of a coalition with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael – but split with the Government over its handling of recent fuel protests.

Michael Healy-Rae was appointed as a junior minister as part of the Government-formation negotiations, with Danny Healy-Rae not receiving an official role.

Amid disquiet over the Government’s refusal to engage with protesters who had staged blockades of critical infrastructure, there had been speculation that Danny Healy-Rae would vote against the Government in the confidence motion.

This also raised questions about what such a decision would mean for his brother’s post in Government.

On Monday, the Taoiseach said it has “always been accepted” that there was a deal with both Michael and Danny Healy-Rae in supporting the Government.

However, asked about the circumstances leading up to Michael Healy-Rae’s resignation, Micheal Martin said it was “not fair to say” that he would have lost his position as Minister of State based on his brother voting against the Government.

Pressed to explain the deal, Mr Martin said: “It’s very simple what happened here. It was a matter for Michael Healy-Rae and Danny Healy-Rae.

“Michael Healy-Rae took a decision to resign, that was his decision.

“You can put any spin you want on it, I know the facts of what transpired.

“It was a simple matter that Michael Healy resigned, and there’s a lot behind that not pertaining to the Government.”

Asked if he had pushed Michael Healy-Rae out of Government because his brother was going to vote against the confidence motion, Mr Martin told reporters: “No, not at all.”

The Taoiseach also said his Chief of Staff Deirdre Gillane had not spoken to Michael Healy-Rae the night before the vote.

“I regret that former minister Michael Healy-Rae decided to resign.

“We had a good relationship, and, you know, it’s difficult for him, it’s difficult for all concerned – but there’s a bit more to it now, a bit more complex than has been suggested.”

Meanwhile, Tanaiste Simon Harris said it was “unlikely” that any decision to fill the vacated Minister of State position at the Department of Agriculture would be made tomorrow.

He told reporters in Drogheda: “It hasn’t been the priority for Government, I don’t say that dismissively.”

He said Michael Healy-Rae’s old responsibilities around forestry were being carried out by Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon.

Refusing to express a preference as to who should fill the post, Mr Harris said he had yet to discuss the matter with the Taoiseach.