The Independent TD for South Kerry, Mr Jackie Healy-Rae, has told the Taoiseach the Government cannot rely on his support because of the efforts of his constituency colleague, the Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, to undermine him.
Mr Healy-Rae claims there is a clear pattern of Mr O'Donoghue claiming credit in the constituency for investment secured by Mr Healy-Rae.
The record will show, Mr Healy-Rae told The Irish Times yesterday, that he has never missed a vote in support of the Government since he was elected in June of last year. "But I have told the Taoiseach he cannot any longer rely on that support if I am `blackguarded' in my constituency. And in saying that I speak also for Harry Blaney and Mildred Fox."
Mr Blaney is an Independent TD for Donegal North East and Ms Fox is an Independent TD for Wicklow. The Government counts on their votes in Dail divisions for its working majority.
Mr Healy-Rae says Mr O'Donoghue is making strenuous efforts in South Kerry to get good political news out first in the local media.
"He has an advantage over me in that he sits at the Cabinet table." Mr Healy-Rae claims that the latest example is a grant of £12,000 which he secured from the Minister for Social Welfare, Mr Ahern, for a community project in Castlemaine.
"It was me and me alone who got the money from Mr Ahern - an honourable man. But the Minister rushed to get the news out first. It is well known in the constituency that he has a man - what shall I call him, an agent - who watches everything I do," Mr Healy-Rae said.