Healy-Rae threatened FF coalition

FORMER Independent TD Jackie Healy-Rae made a dramatic threat to quit the Fianna Fáil-led coalition last year over its “lies” regarding the IMF emergency bailout — but failed to follow through on the threat.

A tersely-worded letter was faxed to Government Buildings on November 22 by the Kerry South deputy in protest at how events were unfolding.

The signed fax, released under freedom of information rules, stated: “Not alone did the Taoiseach of this country tell blatant lies to the Irish people regarding the IMF and the ECB but his cabinet ministers to a man were singing from the same sheet.