Michael Healy-Rae to resign as Minister of State and vote no confidence in Government

Independent Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae has announced that he will resign as Minister of State and vote no confidence in the Government.

Deputy Healy-Rae made the announcement during a debate on the motion of confidence in the Government this Tuesday afternoon.

He stated that during the recent fuel protests he had seen “people begging on the side of the road” and “grown men crying”.

WATCH LIVE  HERE

He criticised the Taoiseach Micheál Martin for not listening to people and said that the Government has “left the people of Ireland down”.

Deputy Healy-Rae continued: “I will be voting no confidence in the leader of the country and I will be tendering my resignation as Minister of State from now.

READ NEXT: Major recall underway as SHEIN recalls two popular products in Ireland amid fears of fire

“I would ask that future governments and this Government, that they would listen, that they would be kind, that they would be understanding.”

He said that farmers and agricultural contractors are “really struggling” and that those protesting in recent days are “respectable people”.

He went on to say that the people of Kerry have told him that they are “unhappy with this Government” and that is why he is tendering his resignation.

Deputy Healy Rae concluded by saying that he had “adored” his time serving in the Department of Agriculture as a Minister of State.

His resignation means that the Government majority has reduced to 89 - just two above the minimum 87 required for a majority.

It could be reduced further when the Galway West and Dublin Central by-elections take place later this year, potentially sparking talk of a general election.