Most Meath FF and FG councillors supporting government programme

The National Programme for Government being presented to Fianna Fail (FF), Fine Gael (FG), and Green members looks certain to get the nod of approval from most of the FF and FG public representatives in Meath.

A straw poll of relevant Meath County Councillors on the plans indicates that they are mostly in support of the plan, with some undecided as of yesterday evening.

Earlier in the week, Noel French of Fine Gael and Sean Drew of Fianna Fail had said they were not supporting the plan, while at the Navan area municipal meeting, Tommy Reilly of Fianna Fail was critical of it but didn’t indicate which way he would be voting. Deirdre Geraghty Smith of Fianna Fail issued a statement in support of the plan.

While Fianna Fail is operating a one member, one vote process, Fine Gael has a weighted system of parliamentary members, national executive and county delegates.

In Fine Gael, Joe Fox said he was supporting it reluctantly, as a government was needed in the national interest, and somebody had to step up to the table.

Maria Murphy and Gerry O’Connor are also supporting the proposals, as are Alan Tobin, Suzanne Jamal, and Sharon Tolan, and Eugene Cassidy. Niamh Souhan was still studying the proposals and hadn’t decided, nor had Yemi Adenuga who thought it was a great plan, and would have no hesitation supporting it, if it wasn’t for the fact that Fianna Fail were to be partners in it.

Paddy Meade wasn’t contactable.

In Fianna Fail, Conor Tormey, Damien O’Reilly, Mike Bray, Paul McCabe, Aisling Dempsey, Wayne Harding and Stephen McKee are supporting it. Cllr Bray would be more reluctant if it, but for the fact that circumstances have changed since the election with the Covid-19 pandemic, and a government is needed, while Cllr McKee believes there are positive proposals for social and affordable housing included.

Fianna Fail senator from Navan, Shane Cassells is also voting in favour of the programme for government, as is Dunboyne’s Jamie Long, treasurer of Meath East Ogra Fianna Fail and cathaoirleach/auditor of UCD’s Kevin Barry Cumann, whose stance is in direct conflict with the official Ógra Fianna Fáil position.

Four members of the Green Party, including Meath East's Sean McCabe, have penned an open letter to fellow party members in the midlands, north east, west, and north west urging them to vote against the Programme for Government.

All votes have to be returned by Thursday 25th June, as the Dail meets to elect a Taoiseach at the end of this week.