Quiz: How well do you know the Healy-Raes?

James Cox

Most politicians divide opinion and a definite case of this is Independent TDs Michael and Danny Healy-Rae.

The Kerry TDs have been frequent critics of the government, and fellow opposition TDs, over the years. However, they made a surprise move to back the Coalition after the last general election.

As part of the agreement Michael Healy-Rae took a role as a junior minister while his brother Danny agreed to vote with the Government.

After much speculation, Michael Healy-Rae resigned his role and voted against the Government in a no-confidence motion following the fuel protests, as did Danny.

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“I’ve always looked at myself as a gauge of the people of rural Ireland, and I really believe that I am,” Michael told the Dáil.

“When I see people on the side of the road, when I’ve seen grown men crying… when I met tractor men, lorry men, farmers and when they were telling me how unhappy they were, the leader of the country should have listened.

“Because of the fact that I believe this government have let the people of Ireland down, I will be voting no confidence in the leader of the country, and I will be tendering my resignation as a minister of state from now.

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

“There are farmers that are really suffering so much at present. There are agricultural contractors that are really suffering.”

The brothers are part of a political dynasty in Co Kerry, following on from their late father Jackie.

How much do you know about the Healy-Raes? Test your knowledge by taking the quiz below.