ENSURING PENSIONERS would be protected was a key issue in securing his support for today’s budget, Independent TD Michael Lowry told reporters at Leinster House last night.
“I am very anxious to ensure – and I’m satisfied that I have ensured – that the older people in our community will still continue to enjoy the entitlement of free travel, free electricity, free telephone allowance and their old age pension – State pension,” he said. “That was important to me.”
His discussions with the Government included a meeting with Taoiseach Brian Cowen last Friday and a telephone conversation with him yesterday afternoon. He had three meetings with Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan over the last few days and yesterday met Minister for Education Mary Coughlan.
He also represented his Independent colleague Jackie Healy- Rae in these discussions. Although there remained one unspecified issue of concern to Mr Healy-Rae, he thought it likely the Kerry South TD would also support the budget.
Mr Lowry said he was also satisfied that a number of issues that he had raised about the agricultural community would be addressed.
He added: “I would also say that I conveyed in very strong terms my concern at the impact that educational fees – college fees – will have on students and their families and I made some suggestions in that regard.”
The former Fine Gael minister said: “It has been communicated to me by the Government that they do intend to reduce the cost of government and that involves the salaries and pensions of members of the Houses of the Oireachtas.”
He had not raised any issues in relation to a commercial project to establish a casino at Two-Mile Borris in his constituency of Tipperary North. Mr Lowry said he expected a report on the modernisation of the gaming and casino laws would be placed before Cabinet next week.
Shortly before 5pm, Mr Lowry issued a statement that he would vote for the budget this evening.
“Despite some adverse reaction in my constituency to this decision, I feel duty-bound to put the country’s interests first,” the statement said.
Also speaking last night, Mr Healy-Rae said it was “very likely” he would support the budget. He had previously been circumspect about his position, despite what he described as hundreds of media inquiries and constant pressure.
This move towards commitment came after he received a phone call from Mr Lenihan in the late afternoon yesterday, agreeing to various local and national requests.
Mr Healy-Rae said he had been assured there would be no cut in the State pension and other associated benefits for older people, such as free travel.
He also said families where there were two or more children at third level would not have to pay the full €2,000 registration fees for all three, but would have to do so for the first child only.
Nearer home, Mr Healy-Rae said he had got a firm commitment for a new community hospital for Kenmare from the Taoiseach last Wednesday.
He also got “a good enough commitment” from Mr Lenihan for funding for the €100 million bypass for Tralee, the biggest road project proposed to date for Co Kerry.
“It is not in writing, but it is near watertight,” Mr Healy-Rae said of the Tralee bypass commitment last night.
Two other Independents, Maureen O’Sullivan of Dublin Central and Finian McGrath of Dublin North Central, indicated yesterday that they would take a wait-and- see approach before deciding how to vote on the budget.