How the Healy-Rae brothers could play role in government formation

James Cox

The next government looks all but certain to be a Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael/Independents coalition.

Fianna Fáil (48) and Fine Gael (38) hold a combined 86 seats in the 34th Dáil, which is two short of a majority.

A coalition with the Regional Independents is imminent, especially after Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tánaiste Simon Harris supported the successful election of Verona Murphy as Ceann Comhairle.

The Regional Independent Group is made up of Michael Lowry, Sean Canney, Kevin 'Boxer' Moran, Noel Grealish, Marian Harkin, Barry Heneghan, Gillian Toole and Verona Murphy.

However, Kerry Independents Danny Healy-Rae and Michael Healy-Rae have indicated they could support the government in votes, further strengthening their majority.

The pair have met Micheál Martin on a number of occasions and indicated they would be willing to back the government in return for assurances about certain supports for their constituencies.

“The government has made it very clear they want us and they need us. We were asked if we were willing to support them for five years and the answer was yes provided that Kerry was looked after.”

He added that the new government would not be satisfied with “a third leg to the government — they want a fourth leg, they want two more sure votes".

Their father Jackie Healy-Rae previously backed a Fianna Fáil government along with three other Independent TDs.