Brennan warns Cork TD on vote threat

The Government chief whip, Mr Seamus Brennan, has warned a Fianna Fail Cork TD that as a Government deputy he is expected to support the Government.

He was responding to comments by Mr Noel O'Flynn, who said that the Government could not be assured of his continued support if the Department of Health did not immediately release funds to cover enhanced subventions for nursing homes.

Mr O'Flynn made his comments on RTE Radio's News at One programme.

Mr Brennan said he had not heard the interview. "But as far as I'm concerned he [Mr O'Flynn] is a Fianna Fail deputy, and as such I fully expect him to support the Government."

Mr O'Flynn said during the interview that the Southern Health Board had stopped paying enhanced subsidies because of insufficient funding.

A report from the Ombudsman recommended that nursing-home subvention arrears be repaid to people who had been assessed incorrectly, he added.

"The Department of Health must pay and must pay now, otherwise, and I'm quite serious about this, the Government cannot be assured of my continued support in the future."