Picture: Valerie O’Sullivan
It was far from a routine Tuesday when two Kerry brothers set their sights on the highest political office in the land.
Deputy Danny Healy-Rae today proposed his younger brother, Michael, to succeed Leo Varadkar as Taoiseach instead of Fine Gael nominee Minister Simon Harris.
In a move that caused some eyebrows to be raised in Dáil Éireann, Danny Healy-Rae nominated Michael for the lofty position because, he said, he was more than capable of doing a good job.
“He has represented Kerry in this chamber for many, many years and he was on Kerry County Council for many years before that.
“He has the understanding of the people and, like myself, he knows what the people need and what they are concerned about,” he said.
Deputy Healy-Rae added that when he was out canvassing for the recent referendum and the local elections, he had never seen people more angry or disillusioned
He availed of the opportunity to launch a stinging attack on the Green Party and he recalled last year party leader and minister, Eamon Ryan, advised people not to drink milk.
“I ask each and every one of you here today, what would we be like if our mothers didn’t give us milk when we were growing up and after being born?
“It’s ridiculous stuff,” Deputy Healy-Rae said, adding that, “with the help of God” the people will write off the Green Party at the next election.
The nomination of Michael Healy-Rae was seconded by Deputy Mattie McGrath who said the Kerry TD has been involved in politics since he was 10 years of age and even at that stage he was out canvassing and meeting the people.
Despite the Healy-Rae nomination, however, Deputy Simon Harris was elected Taoiseach by 88 votes to 69.
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