In the wake of the resignation by Louth TD Mr Peter Fitzpatrick from the Fine Gael party last night; poll topper and Tipperary Independent TD Mr Michael Lowry is increasingly likely to hold the balance of power in terms of passing the upcoming Budget on October 9th, next. The resignation of Mr Fitzpatrick will now further reduce the strength of Fine Gael in Dáil Éireann from 50 seats to 49.
An Taoiseach Mr Leo Varadkar last night stated that he was sorry to learn of Mr Fitzpatrick’s resignation, latter whom had been a strong opponent of the holding of the last Referendum on the Eighth Amendment.
While Mr Lowry remains silent as we go to press; Mr Fitzpatrick has stated that he believes Fine Gael are “style over substance”, and he, as a TD, had remained increasingly isolated while within the party structure. In terms of his political future Mr Fitzpatrick stated that he would now continue to represent his constituency as an Independent politician.
Mr Fitzpatrick said he would continue to support the Government in the forthcoming Budget, but only if he is convinced that it will assist the “squeezed middle who paid a big price during the years of austerity.”
The Fine Gael party will also now be depending on the support of another Independent, one Mr Michael Harty TD, for the county of Clare. Mr Harty had previously announced that he would remove support for this upcoming Budget in protest at the permitted closure, by this government of post offices in our rural villages.
Good for Tipperary