Healy-Rae hospitalised after taking ill in Dáil

INDEPENDENT TD Michael Healy-Rae was expected to remain in hospital last night after being taken ill before a Dáil vote on the Social Welfare Bill.

The Kerry South TD was reported to have been suffering severe pain and shortness of breath and was doubled over, holding his stomach.

He was examined by Health Minister James Reilly, who called for an ambulance to take him to St James’s Hospital.

The 44-year-old took ill shortly making after a passionate Dáil speech condemning “savage” welfare cuts. Mr Healy-Rae also called for a reversal of the cutbacks to community employment schemes, over which a protest was taking place outside Leinster House.

Addressing Social Protection Minister Joan Burton, he said he would be meeting the protesters “while you are sitting in your big restaurant, with your big car and whatever else you have”.

As he became more animated, Junior Minister Shane McEntee said: “There’s tablets for things like that”.

Mr Healy-Rae replied: “What did you say about me? I got elected as good as you did. I won’t have any minister looking down their nose at me.”

Asked to withdraw the remarks, Mr McEntee said: “All I said was ‘there are tablets around’,” which drew laughter from the Government benches.

Mr Healy-Rae soon went to the Dáil canteen and told one TD he was not feeling well. But he returned to the chamber.

As he waited in his chair to vote, a Dáil usher noticed he was doubled over holding his stomach. He became faint and the usher alerted Dr Reilly.

He was short of breath but said he wanted to vote. According to those present, Dr Reilly said not to worry about that.

He was taken to the Ceann Comhairle’s office where Dr Reilly examined him and concluded he needed to be hospitalised.