McGrath: Coalition will not go the distance

Independent TD Mattie McGrath is forecasting the Fianna Fáil-Green Party coalition will not survive until next summer.

The Tipperary South deputy - who lost the Fianna Fáil whip for voting against the Government - believes the Budget and Finance Bill will prove too tricky.

He is refusing to say if the Taoiseach Brian Cowen can count on his support any more - which would depend on the retention of acute services at the South Tipperary General Hospital.

But Deputy McGrath said he is not confident the Goverment will make it through the new Dáil term.