No confidence vote - Taoiseach’s authority is under threat

HEALTH MINISTER Mary Harney will face a Dáil motion of no confidence from Labour tomorrow but make no mistake about it, this is a challenge to Mr Ahern’s authority to continue as Taoiseach.

Though the besieged health minister is the immediate, frontline target, her policies have enjoyed enthusiastic and continued public endorsement from Mr Ahern since he became Taoiseach in June 1997.

This was especially evident in Mr Ahern’s support for Ms Harney’s co-location proposals, plans that will advance the profit-and-loss imperative in our already inequitable health system.