INDEPENDENT TD for Galway West Noel Grealish has threatened to vote against the Coalition over health cuts.
The former Progressive Democrats deputy has written to his former party colleague Minister for Health Mary Harney as well as Taoiseach Brian Cowen, seeking a meeting in early September.
“I have informed An Taoiseach and the Minister that I will find it very difficult to continue to support the Government if drastic cuts in frontline services and hospital funding are implemented,” Mr Grealish said.
If Mr Grealish were to side with the Opposition, the Government’s majority could depend on the casting vote of the Ceann Comhairle.
Support for the Government comes from 70 Fianna Fáil TDs along with Dr Jimmy Devins and Eamon Scanlon, who have resigned from the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party but have consistently voted with the Government.
The six Green TDs and Ms Harney, who is now an Independent, bring the Government’s assured support to 79. Dr Jim McDaid has threatened to vote against the budget. Mattie McGrath has voted against the Government, as have Independents Michael Lowry and Jackie Healy-Rae.
On the Opposition side, Fine Gael has 51 TDs, the Labour Party has 20 and Sinn Féin has four. When Independents Finian McGrath and Maureen O’Sullivan are included, the total Opposition strength comes to 77.
However, if Independent Joe Behan, who cannot be counted on by either side, Mr Lowry, Mr Healy-Rae and Mr Grealish voted against the Government, the Opposition would be boosted to 81. Three constituencies each have a vacancy for one TD at present: Donegal South West, Dublin South and Waterford.
In his letters to Mr Cowen and Ms Harney, Mr Grealish outlined his opposition to cuts in frontline services in the west. “It is my firm belief that the recapitalisation of banks is being put before the health and wellbeing of our citizens and this must not continue. If we can put €30 billion into our banks, surely we can find adequate funding to maintain frontline services. Our priority is to protect the most vulnerable in our society first,” he said.
“In light of this, I will find it extremely difficult to support the Government if any further cuts to frontline services are implemented and I have asked to meet with An Taoiseach in early September to discuss this matter further. I have also requested a meeting with the Minister for Health as soon as possible.”
He said cuts would primarily affect the elderly, the disabled and the infirm. “These people are in no way responsible for the economic downturn and should not be targeted for cuts in such vital services,” he said.
