TAOISEACH BRIAN Cowen has expressed confidence that the Government will win the vote of confidence to be held in the Dáil tonight.
“The Government is united in pursuing policies that are necessary to establish recovery as quickly as possible and we’ll take the opportunity to set out the decisions we have been taking, the basis for those decisions and our plans for the future,” Mr Cowen told reporters in Dublin yesterday.
He added: “We welcome that opportunity and I believe there will be support in the House for the confidence motion in the Government.”
Asked if he was taking comfort from the internal difficulties of the Fine Gael party, Mr Cowen said: “Frankly, I have no comment whatever on that. These are matters for others to consider. What we’re doing is in relation to the Government.”
Minister for Communications Eamon Ryan has left on an official visit to Japan and China but a Government spokesman said that the loss of his vote would be absorbed.
There is no pairing arrangement for Mr Ryan and the spokesman said he was not aware of a “pair” either for Dublin South-Central Fianna Fáil TD Seán Ardagh, who is expected to be absent due to illness.
Fianna Fáil backbenchers Mattie McGrath and John McGuinness, both of whom have a history of disagreeing with the party establishment, both confirmed last night they would be voting with the Government.
The terms of the motion are: “That Dáil Éireann expresses confidence in An Taoiseach and the Government.”
Apart from the Order of Business, all other items have cleared from the agenda for the confidence debate.
The original motion of no confidence in Mr Cowen tabled by Fine Gael has been superseded by a Government motion of confidence in Mr Cowen, thereby permitting the Coalition side to open and close the debate.
The Order of Business is scheduled for 2.30pm today and the Opposition is expected to force a vote because of the dropping of the usual elements from the day’s proceedings, particularly leaders’ questions, which gives Fine Gael and Labour a chance to raise issues of the day with Mr Cowen.
There will be significant input from Cabinet Ministers to the debate with as many as possible expected to speak.
Two Independent TDs, Finian McGrath of Dublin North Central and Maureen O’Sullivan of Dublin Central, have confirmed they will vote against the Government. Independent Wicklow TD Joe Behan, formerly of Fianna Fáil, has refused to state which way he will be voting.
Government-supporting Independents Jackie Healy-Rae and Michael Lowry are expected to back Mr Cowen. Labour and Sinn Féin will be voting against the Coalition motion.