Gilmore questions stability of weakened Government

THE stability of the Government has been questioned by Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore following the resignation of Martin Cullen from his Dáil seat.

Mr Gilmore said, coupled with problems within the Green Party and the resignation of two ministers, the Government was no longer strong enough to remain in office. “Deputy Cullen’s resignation is another serious blow to this Government. This is the second experienced minister that the Taoiseach has lost within a matter of a few weeks. There will now also be three vacancies in the Dáil and the Government has two fewer seats than at this time last year.

“There are clearly currently deep divisions between the two parties in government and internal problems within the Green Party over proposed changes at cabinet level that have to raise further serious questions about the stability of the coalition and its ability to deal with the huge economic and social problems we face,” he said.

The decision of Mr Cullen to retire as a deputy, as well as a minister, costs the Government one member from its effective majority. It negates the gain it made when George Lee resigned from Fine Gael earlier this year.

There are now 163 deputies in the Dáil. Of these, 81 are explicitly aligned to the Government and 81 are technically in opposition. However, three of these, Jimmy Devins, Eamon Scanlon and Jim McDaid, are Fianna Fáil in spirit, although not considered reliable enough to be a part of the whip. They still vote with Government.

However, it is not known what will happen to Tipperary North deputy Michael Lowry when the Moriarty Tribunal report is eventually published into allegations of corruption against him.

Even since the departure of Mr Lee, the Government has found the numbers difficult to balance.

On a procedural motion last month, Ceann Comhairle Seamus Kirk had to use his casting vote to break a tie – the first time that had happened since 1992.

However, seven backbenchers were absent at the time.

Mr Cullen’s retirement puts even greater importance on the timing and outcome of three by-elections which are due to be held.

If they are called, they will be to replace Mr Cullen in Waterford, Mr Lee in Dublin South and Pat The Cope Gallagher, who resigned to become an MEP, in Donegal South West.