Latest news with #GillianToole
Extra.ie
24-06-2025
- Business
- Extra.ie
Fury at ‘goodies' for Independents who voted against the Government
Government backbenchers are irate that Independents who have voted against the Coalition are set to be rewarded with 'constituency goodies' in the National Development Plan (NDP). has learned of growing frustration among the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael rank-and-file as NDP negotiations intensify, with all TDs 'anxious' to see the needs of their constituents addressed. Many have voiced their discontent with the fact that Barry Heneghan, Gillian Toole and Danny Healy-Rae still 'have the ear of ministers' and what might be perceived as greater leverage in securing NDP commitments despite voting against the Government in recent weeks. Independent TD Barry Heneghan. Pic: Tom Honan One Fianna Fáil TD said: 'This can't be an a la carte arrangement where they support the Government when it suits. 'They have the ear of ministers, they're getting more goodies than backbenchers and they're apparently allowed to vote whichever way they want. They can't have it both ways.' A Fine Gael TD added 'We went through all of that strife at the beginning of the Dáil term over the speaking rights for them to turn around and start voting against [us]. It is not right. Independent TD Gillian Toole. Pic: Facebook 'The whip has not been cracked firmly enough.' The NDP is a ten-year plan encompassing all the State's capital spending. The current plan will run between now and 2030 and has been allocated a record budget of €165billion. Upon the formation of the current Coalition, it was announced that the NDP will be reviewed this year, with the revised plan set to be published in the latter half of this month. Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae. Pic: Alan Rowlette/ One source close to the Regional Independents said previously that the NDP review will provide an opportunity for the cohort to begin 'horsetrading' for constituency projects which did not form part of the Programme for Government negotiations. An additional €35billion will come on stream in that review, the source said in January, to be spent on projects across all Government departments. The source added: 'That is when the Healy-Raes can try to get their goodies for Kerry – likewise for other TDs across the Regional Independents, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.' In a radio interview at the beginning of the year, TD Michael Lowry, who led Government formation talks for the Independents, said the group's 'input' to the review of the NDP and the HSE Capital Plan will be 'central' to their work in Government. Independent TD Michael Lowry. Pic: Leah Farrell/ Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers began discussions with his Cabinet colleagues over additional funding for their departments last month, with Government figures saying the allocations are currently being finalised by civil servants. Regional Independents have kept tight-lipped about their engagements with Mr Chambers and Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe in relation to the NDP. However, one source was adamant that the decision taken by members of the group to vote against the Government has not impacted their position to negotiate in NDP talks. They said: 'We only have to vote with them on matters of the economy and confidence.' Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers. Pic: Fran Veale However, 'eyebrows were raised' in the two main Government parties after Dublin TD Barry Heneghan and Meath TD Gillian Toole voted with the Opposition motion to ban the sale of Israeli 'war bonds' through Ireland twice last month. Further questions about the strength of the Coalition surfaced when Danny Healy-Rae took the 'unprecedented' step of calling for a vote against a People Before Profit-Solidarity Bill to ban fox hunting at the 'first stage' of the Dáil. Typically all pieces of legislation are allowed to proceed to 'second stage' where they can be debated, with the Government voting to allow the legislation to progress. A senior Government source repeatedly told that 'constituency deals will play no role in NDP negotiations' – despite Mr Lowry's comments from the beginning of the year. Speaking to the last night, Ms Toole said: 'I am unaware of any adverse commentary by backbench colleagues. I'm an Independent TD committed to the Programme for Government; this puts me in the best place to deliver for the people of north Dublin who elected me.'
The Journal
11-06-2025
- Business
- The Journal
Government rejects motion calling on it to stop sale of 'Israeli war bonds'
GOVERNMENT HAS REJECTED a joint-proposal from the opposition which called on the Central Bank to stop facilitating the sale of Israeli bonds within the EU, an issue that has moved up the political agenda in Ireland in recent months. The motion, put forward by the Social Democrats and supported by Sinn Féin, People Before Profit and the Labour Party, sought the reversal of a previous government decision to block a bill calling for the same measure last month . Members of those parties on Monday requested that a free 'vote of conscience' take place on the issue – meaning that government TDs would not have to vote with their party. The motion was defeated this evening 85 to 71 in the government's favour. Israeli State Bonds have been advertised as a method to support the country's economy and, more recently, websites promoting the investments have emphasised their importance to Israel's military operations in Gaza. Some TDs, as a result, have dubbed the securities as 'Israeli war bonds'. Coalition-supporting TDs, independents Barry Heneghan and Gillian Toole, repeated their vote to support the opposition's call . Both TDs previously said that they had a right to vote, as independents, in a manner they agreed with, pointing out that the programme for government does not include references to the issue. Advertisement Bonds from countries outside the EU must have legal documents approved by a central bank from a member state in order for the securities to be sold within the European single market. In the case of Israel, the country is Ireland. A protest outside the Dáil today calling on government to support the opposition's motion. Alamy Alamy The Central Bank itself is responsible for assessing whether the products it offers are compliant with these EU requirements. Since Hamas's attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 and Israel's subsequent bombardment and siege of Gaza, there has been mounting pressure on the Government from pro-Palestinian activists in Ireland to stop the facilitation of the sale of these bonds. But, Governor of the Central Bank Gabriel Makhlouf today defended its offerings, telling TDs at an Oireachtas Committee that the UN's Genocide Convention applies only to the Irish State, not the country's banking regulator. Activists have demonstrated at the site in Dublin over the last number of months and have called for legislation that would give Ireland the power to refuse the sale of Israeli 'war bonds' over human rights concerns. Speaking during a Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting this evening, finance minister Paschal Donohoe told members that oppositional TDs wanted the government to tell the state's banking regulator what to do, despite its mandated independence. The Dublin Central TD said government cannot approve legislation that impedes on the independence of the Central Bank for legal purposes. Opposition TDs argued this evening that, as the bonds are intended to fund the war in Gaza, Ireland has obligations under the UN's Genocide Convention to use 'all means likely to have a deterrent effect' on those suspected of committing such crimes. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Independent
01-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Shane Ross: When it comes to Gaza, perhaps our politicians are human after all
Independents Barry Heneghan and Gillian Toole defied the Government in Israeli war bonds vote and showed they are human Yesterday at 21:30 Opinionated columnists should do regular audits of their prejudices. Last week, I was forced to admit that just because Mary Lou McDonald champions a cause, it is not automatically wrong. Over the years, the Sinn Féin leader has blazed a trail in support of the people of Palestine, long before it became politically mainstream. Remember, she has endorsed a different, despicably violent movement closer to home, but on Palestine she has been consistent for decades.
BreakingNews.ie
29-05-2025
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
Two Regional Independent TDs vote against Government on Sinn Féin bill
Two TDs who are part of the Coalition-supporting Regional Independent Group voted against the Government on Wednesday night on Sinn Féin's Israeli bonds bill. Barry Heneghan and Gillian Toole voted with the Opposition despite previously saying they would support the Government on motions similar to this. Advertisement Up until now, the pair have voted with the Coalition. TDs voted 87-75 against a motion brought by Sinn Féin to force the Irish Central Bank to end its role in facilitating the 'Israeli war bonds' in the EU. Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe has previously said the Sinn Féin motion was unworkable and inconsistent with EU law. Members of the Opposition held up signs saying "stop funding genocide" as they failed in the Dáil vote. Advertisement In a statement, Mr Heneghan said he voted in favour of the Sinn Féin motion 'because Ireland shouldn't facilitate the sale of bonds that help fund the devastation in Gaza'. 'I'm voting for the bill because Ireland shouldn't facilitate the sale of bonds that help fund the devastation in Gaza,' he added. 'This is about standing up for international law and basic human rights.' Mr Heneghan said he was 'fully committed' to the Programme for Government, adding 'as an Independent TD, I reserve the right to act on matters of conscience'. 'The situation is urgent, and Ireland must show leadership,' he said. Mr Heneghan and Ms O'Toole are part of the Regional Independent Group of TDs, which is informally led by Michael Lowry, whose role in government formation talks was controversial. Speaking rights on opposition time for the group led to huge confrontation in the Dáil, delaying the nomination of Taoiseach Micheál Martin and the formation of Dáil committees.
RTÉ News
29-05-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Two TDs reiterate support for Govt after backing SF bill
The two Independent TDs who voted against the Government in the Dáil last night have insisted that they will continue to support the Coalition in the time ahead. Barry Heneghan and Gillian Toole backed a Sinn Féin bill that would have prevented the Irish Central Bank from approving the prospectus which allows Israel to sell bonds in the European Union. The Government won the vote by a margin of 87 votes to 75. But two Independent TDs, who backed the Governenment in every other vote in the 34th Dáil and who were part of the government formation talks, sided with the Opposition last night. Mr Heneghan said it was a matter of conscience and Ireland should not facilitate the sale of bonds that help fund the devastation in Gaza. Meath East TD Gillian Toole cited the lack of a detailed briefing from the Government on the impact the Sinn Féin bill would have on EU Law. The Government stated the bill was unworkable and not in compliance with EU law. Mr Heneghan and Ms Toole have said they will continue to support the Coalition overall in the time ahead. However, their vote illustrates that the Government is coming under increasing pressure to take furher action against Israel. The Taoiseach told the Dáil yesterday that the most effective response to what is happening in Gaza is to persuade people in the EU and the US to pull their support from the state of Israel because of its actions.
