Minister says Budget will be defeated
Senior Government Ministers were told privately yesterday to expect a vote defeat on the Budget.
One Minister, who asked not be named, said there would be a General Election a very short time after Christmas.
The Minister’s view was that dissident Fianna Fáil TDs and Independents interested in being re-elected would vote against the Budget.
The Government disclosure yesterday of even further billions being sought in the early December Budget has been the ‘final straw’ for some dissident TDs and Independents.
The Minister also predicted that Brian Cowen would be gone by late February, with Brian Lenihan the public and bookies’ favourite to get the job.
Independents like Jackie Healy Rae, whose son will be a candidate in the next election, simply cannot afford to back a budget that hits the less well off.
Michael Lowry is another who is predicted to vote ‘No’.
