Fury at ‘goodies' for Independents who voted against the Government
Government backbenchers are irate that Independents who have voted against the Coalition are set to be rewarded with 'constituency goodies' in the National Development Plan (NDP).
Extra.ie has learned of growing frustration among the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael rank-and-file as NDP negotiations intensify, with all TDs 'anxious' to see the needs of their constituents addressed.
Many have voiced their discontent with the fact that Barry Heneghan, Gillian Toole and Danny Healy-Rae still 'have the ear of ministers' and what might be perceived as greater leverage in securing NDP commitments despite voting against the Government in recent weeks. Independent TD Barry Heneghan. Pic: Tom Honan
One Fianna Fáil TD said: 'This can't be an a la carte arrangement where they support the Government when it suits.
'They have the ear of ministers, they're getting more goodies than backbenchers and they're apparently allowed to vote whichever way they want. They can't have it both ways.'
A Fine Gael TD added 'We went through all of that strife at the beginning of the Dáil term over the speaking rights for them to turn around and start voting against [us]. It is not right. Independent TD Gillian Toole. Pic: Facebook
'The whip has not been cracked firmly enough.'
The NDP is a ten-year plan encompassing all the State's capital spending. The current plan will run between now and 2030 and has been allocated a record budget of €165billion.
Upon the formation of the current Coalition, it was announced that the NDP will be reviewed this year, with the revised plan set to be published in the latter half of this month. Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae. Pic: Alan Rowlette/RollingNews.ie
One source close to the Regional Independents said previously that the NDP review will provide an opportunity for the cohort to begin 'horsetrading' for constituency projects which did not form part of the Programme for Government negotiations.
An additional €35billion will come on stream in that review, the source said in January, to be spent on projects across all Government departments.
The source added: 'That is when the Healy-Raes can try to get their goodies for Kerry – likewise for other TDs across the Regional Independents, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.'
In a radio interview at the beginning of the year, TD Michael Lowry, who led Government formation talks for the Independents, said the group's 'input' to the review of the NDP and the HSE Capital Plan will be 'central' to their work in Government. Independent TD Michael Lowry. Pic: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie
Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers began discussions with his Cabinet colleagues over additional funding for their departments last month, with Government figures saying the allocations are currently being finalised by civil servants.
Regional Independents have kept tight-lipped about their engagements with Mr Chambers and Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe in relation to the NDP. However, one source was adamant that the decision taken by members of the group to vote against the Government has not impacted their position to negotiate in NDP talks.
They said: 'We only have to vote with them on matters of the economy and confidence.' Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers. Pic: Fran Veale
However, 'eyebrows were raised' in the two main Government parties after Dublin TD Barry Heneghan and Meath TD Gillian Toole voted with the Opposition motion to ban the sale of Israeli 'war bonds' through Ireland twice last month.
Further questions about the strength of the Coalition surfaced when Danny Healy-Rae took the 'unprecedented' step of calling for a vote against a People Before Profit-Solidarity Bill to ban fox hunting at the 'first stage' of the Dáil.
Typically all pieces of legislation are allowed to proceed to 'second stage' where they can be debated, with the Government voting to allow the legislation to progress.
A senior Government source repeatedly told Extra.ie that 'constituency deals will play no role in NDP negotiations' – despite Mr Lowry's comments from the beginning of the year.
Speaking to the Extra.ie last night, Ms Toole said: 'I am unaware of any adverse commentary by backbench colleagues. I'm an Independent TD committed to the Programme for Government; this puts me in the best place to deliver for the people of north Dublin who elected me.'
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