Michael Healy-Rae Gets Taoiseach To Agree To Radio Kerry Interview

Posted by
water_charges_10

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae.

KERRY South TD Michael Healy-Rae had an unusual request for the Taoiseach last night in the Dáil, eventually getting him to agree to be interviewed on Radio Kerry.

During the Order of Business on Tuesday evening, Healy-Rae said to Enda Kenny that he was the only Taoiseach to have refused to go on Radio Kerry at any stage since he was elected Taoiseach four and a half years ago.

After a lively exchange between Healy-Rae and the Ceann Comhairle, the Taoiseach agreed to go on Radio Kerry’s ‘Kerry Today’ programme.

And here is that lively exchange (below);

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae: The Taoiseach is in a unique position in that he is the only party leader who has refused to go on Radio Kerry to debate current issues.

An Ceann Comhairle: Hold on one second.

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae: This comes under the Government’s policy in the programme for Government on the open—–

An Ceann Comhairle: I can tell the Deputy that it is not an issue for the Order of Business.

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae: No, it concerns the Government’s policy on openness and transparency. I have a question for the Taoiseach. Jerry O’Sullivan has been looking for him to go on Radio Kerry for a long time.

An Ceann Comhairle: The Deputy can table a question or go and talk to him, but he may not raise the issue on the Order of Business.

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae: The Taoiseach is refusing to—–

An Ceann Comhairle: No, I am sorry, the Deputy is totally out of order.

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae: I am sorry, but I am not.

An Ceann Comhairle: The Deputy is totally out of order.

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae: I am not.

An Ceann Comhairle: Will the Deputy, please, resume his seat?

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae: This relates to Government policy on openness and transparency.

An Ceann Comhairle: will the Deputy, please, resume his seat?

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae: I am asking the Taoiseach to go on Radio Kerry—–

An Ceann Comhairle: I do not care what Government policy states; I am dealing with the Order of Business.

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae: —-to talk about current issues, in the way the other party leaders have done.

The Taoiseach: I would be delighted to do so.

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae: I thank the Taoiseach.

An Ceann Comhairle: Please, do not respond.

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae: I thank the Taoiseach.

Comments are closed.

image