McGrath: Gormley cannot be trusted

Fianna Fáil rebel Mattie McGrath has said he does not trust Environment Minister John Gormley.

Deputy McGrath lost the Fianna Fáil parliamentary whip last night after failing to vote with the Government on the controversial Wildlife Bill.

A number of other backbench TDs rowed back on threats to vote against the Bill after receiving assurances from Minister Gormley that the element of the legislation concerning dog breeding would be amended.

But Deputy McGrath said the Minister had given written assurances in that regard before, but did not keep his word.

"Unfortunately… we can't believe him (Minister Gormley). We can't trust him," Deputy McGrath said.

"He has been pushed around on this Bill himself, and by extension he is pushing us."

Deputy McGrath also said he could not understand why last night's Bill as well as the upcoming Bill on dog breeding set to be voted on on Friday, had to be "rushed in".