‘Team Healy-Rae’ still together, says Danny after Michael blames him for Government exit

Danny Healy-Rae rejects suggestions of a family split after Michael accused him of costing Kerry a ministry

Danny Healy-Rae TD and Michael Healy-Rae TD at the Healy-Rae Bar in Kilgarvan, Co Kerry. Picture Dan Linehan

Danny Healy-Rae has insisted that "Team Healy-Rae" remains intact despite his brother Michael publicly accusing him of "pulling him overboard" and out of Government.

Responding to Michael Healy-Rae's extraordinary criticism during a Radio Kerry interview on Tuesday, Danny told the Irish Examiner he was "saying nothing at all in the world" about his brother's remarks.

However, when asked whether "Team Healy-Rae" was still together, he replied: "Myself, and Johnny, and Maura are full belt at it.

"I'm sure Michael and Jackie are as well."

The comments came after Michael Healy-Rae publicly blamed his brother for the collapse of a political arrangement with the Government, claiming Danny's refusal to back the coalition ahead of a no-confidence vote had effectively left him without a ministerial role.

Refusing to say whether the brothers would campaign together again, Michael said he had been unable to “put things right” after Danny “lit a fire” by refusing to publicly back the Government hours before a no-confidence vote.

While rumours of a split within the Healy-Rae political dynasty have swirled in recent weeks, the first public signs of division emerged on Tuesday as Michael launched a blistering attack on his brother, suggesting Danny had failed to show “political backbone”.

Michael resigned from his junior ministry at the Department of Agriculture in April during a motion of no confidence in the Government.

The day before the vote, Danny Healy-Rae called on Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael backbenchers to remove their leaders, Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris, while refusing to state whether he would support the Government during a Radio Kerry interview.

As reported by the Irish Examiner in April, the Taoiseach declined to give assurances that Michael Healy-Rae’s ministerial role would be protected if Danny voted against the coalition.

‘I was pulled overboard’

Danny Healy-Rae says 'Team Healy-Rae' remains intact after Michael publicly blamed him for his Government exit. Picture: Dan Linehan

During an explosive interview on Radio Kerry on Tuesday, Michael confirmed there had been a “two-for-one” deal between the Healy-Raes and the Taoiseach and Tánaiste.

“We were on a ship. Did I jump overboard?” Michael said.

“I didn't jump over any board; I was pulled overboard. It was always the situation that the Healy-Raes agreed the two of us gave our word to two other men, and that was the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste.

“Then one of the people that gave their word [Danny] was saying, ‘Oh, them two people should be gone.” The leadership for any party is a matter for the parliamentary party.”

Michael Healy-Rae said that “words mean an awful lot” in politics.

He said his late father, Jackie Healy-Rae, “always kept his word” and that he felt “honour-bound” to do the same.

However, Michael insisted he was “absolutely not” being blamed by anyone in Government for what had happened.

He described the past few weeks as the “toughest political chapter in my book” but insisted it “wasn’t just about the ministry” and that supporting the Government had delivered a “deal for Kerry”.

He continued: “You could say I was sacked on Radio Kerry because that started it. All I wanted to do at all times was think about County Kerry.

“I was thinking about all the years that the Healy-Raes had given to get into some position where we could do something. We were finally in that position.

“All that needed to be done was to have political backbone and to stay on the course and fight from within Government to do the best to deliver.”

‘Team Healy-Rae’ faces soul-searching

Michael Healy Rae salutes protesters after resigning from government last Tuesday. Picture: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos

While Michael has said that “Team Healy-Rae” must undertake some “soul searching”, he did not directly answer whether he intended to sever political ties with Danny.

“Every Healy-Rae that will go on a ballot paper, I wish them every bit of good luck,” he continued.

“I will just have to be careful and prudent that when you do a deal with somebody, and when you do an agreement, you have to be able to rely on that person.

“They have to have backbone, they have to have the political determination, and of course.”

There have been suggestions in recent weeks that relations between Danny’s children, Maura Healy-Rae and Johnny Healy-Rae, and Michael’s son, Jackie Healy-Rae Jr, have also cooled. All three serve as councillors on Kerry County Council.