Outspoken Kilkenny TD prepared to defy party and bring down Government

Outspoken Kilkenny TD John McGuinness has said he is prepared to defy his own party and bring down the Government.

Deputy McGuinness has indicated he will back a motion of no confidence in the Government if one is tabled in the Dáil, according to reports.

Such a move would be in defiance of Fianna Fáil policy, which has been to abstain in confidence votes under the confience and supply deal with the Fine Gael-led minority government of which Deputy McGuinness is a vocal critic.

Mr McGuinness has branded the confience and supply arrangement as a “farce” and  said he hopes it comes to an end early next year.

And with Fianna Fáil abstaining, together with the resignation of Fine Gael TD Dara Murphy this week, it could leave the Kilkenny TD holding the balance of power if there is another vote of no confidence in the Government.

Deputy McGuinness did not participate in Tuesday night’s Dáil vote when a Christmas election was narrowly averted after the Government narrowly scraped a victory in the motion of no confidence in embattled Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy.