‘People are beginning to suffer’ – John McGuinness calls on Fianna Fail to bring down Government

A Kilkenny TD has called on his party to bring down the Government by cutting its supply and confidence arrangement with Fine Gael.

Deputy John McGuinness wants a general election held as early as the New Year. However, the Fianna Fáil leadership has indicated they will not force an election until April or May at the earliest.

Deputy McGuinness believes Fianna Fail have been supporting the Fine Gael-led Government for far too long and says ordinary people are suffering because of the arrangement. He has consistency held the view that his should withdraw its support for the Government.

This time last year, Deputy McGuiness sent an email to party colleagues titled ‘A Christmas message to all in Fianna Fáil’ urging them to stand up against the party leadership and oppose the supply and confidence agreement.

His opinion on the matter has not erred in the past 12 months.

Speaking to KCLR earlier today, Deputy McGuinness said: “I believe that there is a public consensus now that the end of the government is nigh. This Government is beginning to fall asunder and the people are beginning to suffer.

“I think Fianna Fáil should request, and this is what I have asked them to do, an orderly wind-down of government, setting a date for an election. That election should happen as soon as possible in the New Year.”

However Fianna Fáil, who are battling to win six by-election seats today, do not share Deputy McGuinness’s view and have no plans to bring down the Government for at least another six months.

A spokesperson for the party told KilkennyNow.ie: “This is not party policy to remove the supply and confidence arrangement at the moment. There will be a general election after Easter, when we look forward to making the case for a change of Government.”