The Minister for Defence, Mr Michael Smith, has challenged the authority of the Taoiseach and the Cabinet on three occasions publicly during the week.
Not once, twice but in three separate interventions, he has outlined his opposition to the recommendations of the Hanly Report to reduce the status of Nenagh General Hospital in his North Tipperary constituency. The concept of collective Cabinet responsibility takes on a new meaning. And the Taoiseach is not fazed.
As in any other Government action like the publication of the Book of Estimates yesterday, Mr Smith was a party to the Cabinet decision to accept the recommendations of the Hanly report, the primary plank of the Fianna Fáil/ Progressive Democrats Coalition's health reform strategy. He broke ranks, however, when the debate arrived in his own backyard. He told a public meeting in Nenagh on Monday night that this was not the first time he had had a fight on his hands in relation to the local hospital during the 30 years he has served as a public representative.
The Taoiseach made a public spectacle of himself in the Dáil on Wednesday when he insisted that the Minister "totally accepts the Hanly report". They approved the implementation of the report on the lines set out in Hanly "taking geographics and demographics into consideration".
The Minister reiterated his opposition to the Hanly proposals for Nenagh General Hospital in a radio interview some hours later, thereby challenging the Taoiseach's authority and Government policy. "There is no need to sacrifice people who live in the outlying areas who feel threatened and worried. There is no need to sacrifice them on the altar of the Hanly report", Mr Smith responded in emotive language. There were further expositions on the issue from the Taoiseach and the Minister yesterday.
The manner in which the Minister has opposed a controversial decision taken by the Cabinet, of which he is a member, has paved the way for backbenchers in other constituencies to challenge other Government actions. On the face of it, he has made it easier for Oireachtas members in Clare to dissociate themselves from the Hanly proposals for Ennis General Hospital.
The Taoiseach's willingness to wear the Minister's challenge could offer carte blanche to backbenchers to criticise other unpopular actions like the €91 million to be raised in stealth taxes in the Estimates. It will make it more difficult to lead a united Government, and parliamentary party, through the tough decisions needed in the Budget next month.