FORMER MINISTER of State John McGuinness voted with the Government on two important Dáil votes yesterday as he signalled to the Fianna Fáil leadership that his public protestation over his demotion had come to an end.
Government Chief Whip Pat Carey said he and Mr McGuinness had had two phone conversations on Monday during which Mr McGuinness assured him of his continued support.
In keeping with the Government’s low key response to Mr McGuinness’s angry reaction to being dropped, Mr Carey said no disciplinary action would be imposed on the Kilkenny TD for his outspoken criticism of Tánaiste Mary Coughlan or for his failure to be present for two Dáil votes last Thursday.
“He did not need reminding of his obligations . . . Both of us know what our obligations are,” said Mr Carey.
Mr McGuinness voted with the Government yesterday on the four occasions when a division was called and was also present at the parliamentary party meeting last night.
“He will continue to support the Government . . . It will not stop him from making his views known on a range of issues,” said Mr Carey.
Earlier in the Dáil, Taoiseach Brian Cowen said he rejected the claims of Labour leader Eamon Gilmore that his response to Mr McGuinness’s criticism of the Tánaiste were “muted”.
“My response is measured, calm and proportionate,” he said. “I have given full support to my Tánaiste. I have not been equivocal in any way in my rejection of the criticisms by Deputy McGuinness.
Mr Gilmore argued that if he or Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny had criticised Ms Coughlan as Mr McGuinness had, Mr Cowen “would be fit to be tied to his seat in terms of the response he would give us”.
Mr Cowen said he fully supported Ms Coughlan in her role as Minister for Enterprise. She has been hard-working and successful in that role, he said.
The Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting was dominated by the difficulties small businesses are facing in raising credit from banks. Over 20 TDs and Senators spoke during a meeting at which there were complaints about the punitive rates banks were charging for borrowers switching from fixed to variable rates.
Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan also told the meeting that he would bring proposals to Cabinet next Tuesday to get the National Asset Management Agency up and running.
The Government has imposed a three-line whip on all votes this week. The only Fianna Fáil TD absent for Dáil votes is Ms Coughlan who is abroad.