Minister: No advance warning of Healy-Rae intention to resign
Minister for Agriculture, Food, and the Marine, Martin Heydon has said he did not have advance of warning of Michael Healy-Rae's decision to resign.
The independent Kerry TD, who was a minister of state at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), made the shock announcement as the Dáil debated a motion of confidence in the government yesterday (Tuesday, April 14).
The government tabled the motion in response to Sinn Féin's motion of no confidence over the government's handling of the ongoing fuel crisis.
Healy-Rae
In his speech, Minister Healy-Rae said "the people of Kerry are telling me that they are unhappy with this government".
"Because of the fact that I believe this government have left the people of Ireland down, I will be voting no confidence in the leader of the country, and I will be tendering my resignation as a minister of state from now," he said.
Michael Healy-Rae and his brother Danny reached an agreement to support the government following the last general election.
In recognition of that support, Michael Healy-Rae was appointed as Minister of State at DAFM with special responsibility for forestry, horticulture and farm safety.
The brothers have now withdrawn their support of the government over its handling of the fuel protests.
Minister
When asked by Agriland if he was aware of Michael Healy-Rae's intention to resign in advance, Minister Heydon said:
"No, I wasn't, and I was disappointed that he did that. He's been a good colleague and worked very well in the department with me.
"I wish him well. I'm disappointed that he made this decision, and it is unfortunate," he said.
Minister Heydon noted that "the work of the department continues beyond any of us".
"Whenever my day is done in this department, the work will continue to represent our farmers and our foresters and our fishers, that will always continue.
"From my perspective, as of today, all of the day-to-day activity of managing the forestry sector, the horticulture sector and farm safety comes back to me.
"As senior minister, I always have an overseeing role in these sections anyway. It's just the day-to-day activity that comes back to me while we await a decision from government around that vacancy," he said.
When asked if the government intends to fill the vacancy, Heydon replied: "That's a matter for the leaders to agree".
