Fine Gael is to withdraw from the traditional pairings arrangement with the Government during a vote on the medical card controversy in the Dáil this week.
The party said it would only enter into the pairing arrangement for Government TDs who are on “absolutely essential business”.
Pairing arrangements mean that deputies can absent themselves from the Dáil on the understanding that a corresponding member of an opposing party will not take part in any votes while the deputy is away.
Signalling a more aggressive approach to Dáil business, Fine Gael withdrew from the arrangement during a vote on the economy in September.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny announced last week that the party will force a Dáil vote on the budget changes to the automatic entitlement of the over-70s to a medical card by bringing forward a Private Members’ motion calling for a reversal of the Budget move.
In a statement today, Fine Gael chief whip Paul Kehoe said: “Fine Gael will be restricting pairing arrangements this week for the vote on the reversal of the decision to abolish automatic full medical cards for the over 70s.
“Only Government Deputies away on essential business will be afforded a “pair” by Fine Gael. All other Government Deputies will have to show up in the Dáil on Wednesday night and vote on whether or not they think our OAPs should get to keep their medical cards.”
He said, as things stand, the only Government TDs that will be granted a pair by Fine Gael are the TDs travelling to China for a trade mission.
“No other Government TDs away from the Dáil on business will be given a pair. As the Government have a majority of 10 it is their decision whether individual deputies are called back for the vote.”
