McGrath intends to vote against Cowen

VOTE OF CONFIDENCE:TWO INDEPENDENT TDs have confirmed they will vote against the Government when the Dáil debates a motion of confidence in Taoiseach Brian Cowen next Tuesday.

They are Finian McGrath of Dublin North Central and Maureen O’Sullivan of Dublin Central.

“I’ve gone through the banking reports and it’s a no-brainer for me. Senior bankers, management and Government have to carry the can,” Mr McGrath said.

“And I’ve been furious in recent weeks at the way a lot of people with disabilities are being treated in relation to services and cuts. So I will definitely be voting against Government next Tuesday.”

Ms O’Sullivan said: “I don’t have confidence in the party that has brought the country to this state of affairs. I can’t have confidence when I see the state this country is in.”

Former Fianna Fáil TD Joe Behan, who represents Wicklow, said: “I’ve no comment at this time”. Mr McGrath and Ms O’Sullivan usually vote against the Government, while Mr Behan cannot be counted on by either side.

Support for Government comes from the six Green TDs and two former PDs, Minister for Health Mary Harney and Noel Grealish. Government is also supported by a number of other Independents, including Kerry South TD Jackie Healy-Rae. Last night he would not confirm his intentions either way.

Michael Lowry of Tipperary North and Galway West deputy Noel Grealish could not be reached for comment last night. Green Party Minister for Communications Eamon Ryan will be on an official visit to Japan and China when the vote takes place, his spokeswoman confirmed. Fine Gael has withdrawn pairing arrangements but Government remained confident of victory.

The Government’s voting strength in the Dáil normally stands at 84 seats. The Fianna Fáil parliamentary party has 71 TDs. Dr Jim McDaid, Dr Jimmy Devins and Eamon Scanlon resigned from the parliamentary party but remain party members and have consistently voted with the Government. On the Opposition side, Fine Gael has 51 TDs, the Labour Party has 20 and Sinn Féin has four. When Mr McGrath and Ms O’Sullivan are included, total Opposition strength comes to 77.