Article: FG to table vote of no confidence in Harney

Sulmac

From today's Sunday Business Post:

FG to table vote of no confidence in Harney
04 April 2010 By Pat Leahy Political Editor

Fine Gael is likely to put down a Dáil motion of no confidence in health minister Mary Harney after the Easter break, but will stop short of a full no-confidence motion in the government.

The Fine Gael front bench will meet after the two-week Easter recess to decide on strategy for the forthcoming Dáil term, but a senior party source said that it would probably avoid a motion of no confidence in Taoiseach Brian Cowen or the government.

The party believes such a move would only serve to allow Cowen to rally support behind him, as he did last week after being accused of ‘‘economic treason’’ by Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore.

Fine Gael is more likely to submit a motion of no confidence in Harney following Cowen’s decision to retain her in his cabinet at the recent reshuffle. Some backbench Fianna Fáil TDs resent Harney’s continued presence in government, and Fine Gael regards the no confidence motion in her as a means of ‘‘flushing them out’’.

Such a motion would put pressure on outspoken South Tipperary TD Mattie McGrath, who has been critical of Harney. There is a campaign in his constituency to maintain services at Clonmel Hospital, some of which are due to be transferred to Waterford.

Another Fianna Fáil backbencher, Cork’s Ned O’Keeffe, abstained from a previous vote of confidence in Harney.

A motion about the health minister would also give Fine Gael the opportunity to publicise its FairCare plan to reform the health system and introduce universal private health insurance. The party has staged a series of public meetings around the country on the topic.

A motion of no confidence in Harney was last debated in the Dáil in November 2007, following the discovery of mistaken screenings for breast cancer in Portlaoise Hospital. There was a motion of no confidence in the government after the results of the local and European elections last June ,which was defeated after a two-day debate, by 85 to 79.

However, the government’s majority has shrunk since then, and Fianna Fáil backbencher John McGuinness has indicated that he may not vote for Cowen in any motion of confidence.

The government can usually count on the support of 84 deputies, including McGuinness and all the Fianna Fáil TDs who have lost the whip; the two former members of the Progressive Democrats; and two of the independent TDs.

The combined opposition has 79 votes although, when the three outstanding by-elections take place, that is expected to rise to 82.

Interesting tactics by FG, going after individual minister (and thus an individual issue - health) rather than the government as a whole.

It's unsurprising that Harney, now an independent, is resented among the backbenchers in FF who had aspirations of a cabinet seat at the reshuffle.

That said, although it would be great to see her gone, I doubt it will happen. Try and find an FF TD willing to go into "Angola". Her vote for the government is also crucial at the moment.

It'd be even better if it toppled the government - we can all dream, can't we?

avalon68

I am by no means a Mary Harney fan, but I dont think anyone could step in and improve the state of the health system very easily. She has tried to bring changes but has been resisted at every step by unions and their reluctance to participate in reforms. I get a little fed up of reading things like Xrays not examined....sack Harney. Its not her job to read xrays, its the responsibility of the consultants (ver well paid consultants I might add!), and the responsibility of the department managers and hospital management......Basically a lot of people screwed up in this situation, but I believe it is the people who work in the hospital who did not perform their duties that should be sacked for this, not Mary Harney. If files went across my desk and I didnt notice errors or gaps in data, then it would be my fault....not my bosses, as he assumes I am competent enough to perform the tasks that I am paid to do....

ninty9er

I should proably go and find this out myself, but it would be interesting to see a motion of no confidence tabled on Enda Kenny as leader of the opposition.

Liam Byrne

It's pretty pathetic by FG, TBH.......

Harney has screwed up and accepts no responsibility, true, but compared to the screwups by Lenihan and Cowen she's small potatoes.

Unfortunately our ridiculous system means that any worthwhile tabling of no confidence is pointless (as shown by the O'Dea fiasco) because the vested interests will just circle the wagons.

If FG are representing the people, then they should have "no confidence" in this government, and they should stand over that.

Sir Oxman

According to the Sindo, Harney is refreshed after her junket/official trip* to NZ and is now considering contesting the next election under the TraitorFF banner.


* anyone find out if her -husband- went on our expense?

Sir Oxman

ninty9er wrote: »

I should proably go and find this out myself, but it would be interesting to see a motion of no confidence tabled on Enda Kenny as leader of the opposition.

Why?

Pride Fighter

Time for some FFers put their money where their mouths are. The 2 in Sligo gave up the whip over a hospital issue and Mattie MCGrath in Tipp south has complained about his own hospital being downgraded.

This could be interesting if they do what they should.

nesf

Meh, I can't imagine too many FF backbenchers dream of becoming Health Minister.

orourkeda

Is there potential for this to backfire on the opposition?

nesf

orourkeda wrote: »

Is there potential for this to backfire on the opposition?

None, other than the public becoming cynical of the reuse of a standard political hay making stunt so close to the last time it was used.

hallelujajordan

Liam Byrne wrote: »

If FG are representing the people, then they should have "no confidence" in this government, and they should stand over that.

Since when do FG represent "the people" . . They have 50/166 seats in DE so represent less than 1/3 of "the people" . .

orourkeda wrote: »

Is there potential for this to backfire on the opposition?

I think the opposition timing on this is wrong. They have lost the momentum that was there after the Tallaght X-ray scandal, now Harney will have the opportunity to detail all of the steps she has put in place to address the issues and she has also just put in a barnstorming performance on the Frontline !

dlofnep

hallelujajordan wrote: »

Since when do FG represent "the people" . . They have 50/166 seats in DE so represent less than 1/3 of "the people" . .

I think he meant intending to represent the people.

ninty9er

gambiaman wrote: »

Why?

Why not?

It seems to be his own solution to everything.

Seth Brundle

ninty9er wrote: »

Why not?

It seems to be his own solution to everything.

In fairness, the leader of FF has no solutions to anything!