Lowry and Healy-Rae will back Government

THE Government will manage to cling onto its Dáil majority with the help of two Independent TDs who have pledged their support to Brian Cowen in a motion of confidence in his leadership.

Former Fine Gael minister, Michael Lowry, is expected to stick by the Taoiseach after receiving a number of assurances in his deal with the Government arranged with Mr Cowen’s predecessor, Bertie Ahern, after the 2007 election.

The Tipperary North TD was due to meet Mr Cowen late last night and said “it is time for political co-operation”.

He said: “People were asking me during the election why aren’t the politicians coming together to find solutions to our problems. I believe it’s a time for the Government and the opposition to inspire and a time to be constructive, a time to be positive and a time to put forward answers to the many questions that are out there.”

Mr Lowry said his priority in last night’s meeting would be to seek support for Nenagh General Hospital. He will also discuss a reversal of the budget decision to cut Christmas social welfare bonuses which, he said, “has created a lot of hostility to the Government”.

But he said: “I don’t believe in putting the gun politically to anybody’s head. I’ll make reasoned arguments and that is one of the arguments I will make.”

Mr Lowry said the meeting was taking place in the context of the review of the programme for government between Fianna Fáil and the Green Party.

“I did a deal with the Government on its formation, and in fairness to the Government they have been very respectful of that agreement and they have honoured and have delivered a number of projects to me in my constituency which have been beneficial to the people of North Tipperary,” he said.

“I’m anxious to ensure that I will be included in a review of that programme, that I will be consulted with. And I’m obviously anxious to know in the changed economic environment where I stand in relation to the projects that have been on my list,” said Mr Lowry.

South Kerry Independent, Jackie Healy-Rae, has not sought a meeting with the Taoiseach. He said the only thing that would make him withdraw his support is “if they change their minds about certain things in relation to Tralee General Hospital.”