Michael Healy-Rae declines to rule himself out of becoming rural affairs minister

Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae has declined to rule himself out of becoming rural affairs minister in the next government, after revealing both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have committed to creating the “senior” cabinet role.

The Kerry-based TD said it would be “a very foolish politician who would ever rule themselves out of something without knowing what they are ruling themselves out of”, amid ongoing speculation over whether he will be in line to take up the long-rumoured position.

During an interview with RTÉ Radio’s Countrywide programme due to air this morning, the controversial TD said the need for the full ministerial position has been accepted by both Enda Kenny and Micheál Martin.

Speaking after a series of meetings in recent weeks with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, Mr Healy-Rae said he has been given a commitment by both parties the rural affairs position will be created. He said the development will address “a great imbalance” that has seen “rural Ireland left behind”.

However, when asked, he declined to rule himself out of seeking the role if he and his brother form part of a rainbow coalition.

“My honest answer about everything is I listen to everything, I see what arises.

“If an opportunity was ever to arise to me that would make sense and that was a good thing, it would be a good thing for the people I represent, it would be a very foolish politician who would ever rule themselves out of something,” he said.

“Whoever forms the next government, whether it’s a Fianna Fáil-led government or Fine Gael-led, whoever they are they will have a senior minister for rural affairs.

“The caretaker taoiseach Enda Kenny has told me yes, he will have such a position if he’s in power. Micheál Martin has told me yes, that it’s Fianna Fáil policy, that he will have a full minister for rural affairs.

“That’s terrible important, because there was a great imbalance in the last number of years that I really feel rural Ireland was left behind,” Mr Healy-Rae said.

Rural TDs have repeatedly called for a full cabinet-level ministry to tackle issues such as flooding, job creation, farming and broadband.