INDEPENDENT TD Jackie Healy-Rae has threatened to vote against the Government over cuts to the rural transport programme but his comments have been dismissed as “bluster” by Fine Gael.
Mr Healy-Rae voiced his objections to cuts in rural transport on RTÉ Radio’s Drivetime programme yesterday and said he might consider withdrawing his support for the Government in the Dáil.
The South Kerry TD has backed Fianna Fáil since he was first elected to the Dáil in 1997 and has had a special deal with the Government over the 12-year period.
His support and that of Tipperary North Independent TD Michael Lowry are becoming increasingly important as the coalition’s Dáil majority shrinks.
Last night Fine Gael transport spokesman Fergus O’Dowd said the public should not be fooled by the “tough talk bluster” from Mr Healy-Rae and some Fianna Fáil TDs on the rural transport programme. “This Government was supported by Jackie Healy-Rae and Fianna Fáil TDs in all the decisions which have brought the Irish economy and transport network to its knees. This is the only reason why important schemes like the evening rural transport service find itself being considered for big cutbacks,” said Mr O’Dowd.
He said Fianna Fáil had lacked the guts to introduce real transport reform and decided only to throw money at real problems but now, in tightening economic circumstances, the Government’s only policy was to withdraw that same money. “Throughout the past 12 years of unprecedented economic prosperity, Fianna Fáil and its supporters never attempted to reform or streamline existing State bus companies, introduce wide-scale transport competition or to provide a real sustainable rural transport programme.”