Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae is to be removed as a member of the Oireachtas Agriculture Committee because of his vote against the Government in the recent motion of confidence, the Dáil has heard.
The Kerry TD appealed in the House to remain a member after Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins raised his plight on the Order of Business.
Healy-Rae voted against the Government last week and his brother Michael resigned as minister of state for agriculture with special responsibility for forestry, in the wake of the fuel crisis protests.
Collins quoted from a speech Taoiseach Micheál Martin made when in opposition in 2016 that “political parties should not think parliament is their possession and that they can control anything that happens”.
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The Cork South-West TD added: “You continued by saying ‘to date we’ve had such experience – deputies have been removed from committees because they voted against government.’”
Collins asked the Taoiseach: “Why now today are you doing a 360-degree turn and trying to seek to remove Deputy Danny Healy-Rae from the Agriculture Committee ...” because “... he voted against your Government. This decision has to be reversed.”
Healy-Rae sought to speak under standing order 35, which Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy told him was “to move an amendment to the Order of Business”.
“Have you an amendment?” she asked. “Yes, I do,” he replied.
“Well, then you should state the amendment.”
After a pause, the Kerry TD said: “My amendment is that I will stay in the Committee of Agriculture because, my understanding is, I was appointed as an Independent member, not a member of Government.”
Government Chief Whip Mary Butler said in response: “If I could just clarify so that all Deputies will be aware that you do not need to be a member of a committee to attend a committee.”
