Jackie strikes a new deal
Joe McCrohan with David O'Neill, Denis Curran, John O'Connor, John Kelly harvesting the potatoes for the elderly for Christmas through the Rural Social Scheme and the South Kerry Development Partnership, Cahersiveen. Credit: Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin
DEAL-making Independent TD Jackie Healy Rae will lend his full support to today's belt-tightening budget after he emerged from intense negotiations yesterday evening claiming to have secured a new 40-bed community hospital for Kenmare. Independent TDs had been courted by Fianna Fáil officials in the final hours leading up to today's budget. Fianna Fáil members and government backers will expect a public backlash with cuts to child benefit and dole payments predicted alongside cuts of up to seven per cent in public sector wages.
Healy Rae's support is fundamental in securing safe passage of the proposals and while he says the decision was one of the toughest he has made, he believes it is in the better interests of the country.
"It will be tough but what is the alternative: do we want the IMF taking over the finances of the country?
"I am no supporter of cuts but this is the correct thing to do for the people who elected me," he said on Tuesday.
In announcing that Kenmare Community Hospital will be on the HSE Capital Plan for 2010, the Deputy said he had secured further measures as a result of yesterday's negotiations.
"As a direct culmination of negotiations thrashed out in Dublin, I have secured funding for other infrastructural projects to help maximise local tourism and increase access to South Kerry."
Asked if the hospital had been part of his original government-making deal, the TD said that government finances had seen projects across the country fall by the way side.
"The hospital was not in the capital plan last week but it is now included and I am delighted to make this announcement."
- KEVIN HUGHES khughes@kerryman.ie
