McDaid resignation confirmed

Ceann Comhairle Seamus Kirk has confirmed the resignation of former minister Jim McDaid from the Dáil.

The Donegal TD stepped down today citing political and personal reasons.

He said he had written a letter to the Taoiseach last week, in which he called on Brian Cowen to call a general election so that a new government with a strong mandate could be elected.

Mr McDaid accused the Government of pursuing the path of least resistance and said it was ``focusing on what is politically possible rather than what is economically necessary''.

He listed several grievances and claimed the Government opted for cuts to frontline hospital services rather than reducing public sector pay numbers. He also criticised Ireland for having the second highest minimum wage in Europe while the workforce is hit by 14% unemployment.

Mr McDaid said a general election should have been called before the December Budget.

He said that despite some courageous and difficult decisions and the need to set tough savings targets no significant progress had been made in reducing the Exchequer deficit.

Mr McDaid said the Government was taking political soft options and not tackling the real issues.

“At this point I believe that it is in the best interests of the people of Ireland that the Government of Ireland has a working majority in the Dáil of at least 20 seats, even if that Government is compromised of parties who have traditionally stood in opposition to Fianna Fail,” Mr McDaid said.

“And I hope that Government will have the strength to take on their obvious responsibilities, free from the shackles of social partnership and political Dutch auctions.”

Mr McDaid said the country would be gripped by instability and uncertainty in the spring unless a new Government was brought in.

Mr McDaid claimed that only a limited number of the recommendations of the An Bord Snip Nua report have been implemented.

The Letterkenny GP, a former tourism minister, said he believed the European Central Bank, the European Commission and the bond markets had no confidence in Ireland.

“That’s because they see this Government as a temporary little arrangement, that another is waiting in the wings and they await to see the colour of their eyes,” Mr McDaid said.

However he said he received no reply to his correspondence.

In the Dáil the Ceann Comhairle confirmed that the resignation of the Donegal TD is to take effect immediately.

Tánaiste and Education Minister Mary Coughlan said she regrets the decision of Deputy McDaid to resign from the Dáil, but said his desire for a government with a majority of 20 to 30 seats is unrealistic.

Government Chief Whip John Curran said he was disappointed to see his former colleague leave politics but wished him well.

“Jim has been a fine public representative during his time as a Deputy for the people of Donegal,” Mr Curran said.

“Serving both as a TD and a minister, Jim has always put the well-being of his constituents, and this country, at the forefront of his political efforts.”

“Although the Government has not being relying on Jim’s vote in the Dáil for a period, I have always maintained a strong working relationship with him.

“I am disappointed today that this will no longer be the case, but accept the decision that he has made.”

The resignation has damaged further the Government's already tight majority as it can now rely on the backing of 77 TDS, including Health Minister and former PD Mary Harney.

Support is also expected from ex-Fianna Fáil parliamentary party members Eamon Scanlon and Jimmy Devins, as well as independents Michael Lowry and Jackie Healy-Rae. Ceann Comhairle Seamus Kirk votes only in a tie.

There are a number of former Government backers whose support is not guaranteed including renegade Tipperary-South TD Mattie McGrath who was expelled from the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party for abstaining from voting on laws to ban the country’s only stag hunt with hounds.

The Government suffered a blow in September after Independent Galway TD Noel Grealish withdrew his support over swingeing health cuts in the west. Wicklow TD Joe Behan resigned from Fianna Fáil in October 2008 over plans to end universal medical cards to the over 70s.

Others who may be unpredictable include Dublin North Central Independent Finian McGrath who criticised the Government’s stance on providing facilities for cystic fibrosis sufferers and Dublin Central’s Maureen O’Sullivan.

The Opposition has 75 TDs – 51 for Fine Gael, 20 for Labour and four for Sinn Féin.