Ex-minister Fahey breaks ranks on Bord Snip report

FORMER minister Frank Fahey has become the first Fianna Fáil TD to break ranks with the Government over proposals in the Bord Snip report, saying he would not accept cuts in social welfare payments.

The Galway West TD described the report as an attack on rural Ireland which should not be accepted and should be fought off.

The report proposes cuts in a number of grants schemes to farmers, including the REPS payment, and affects rural communities in other ways such as cuts to transport and the closing of small schools and Garda stations.