Michael Healy-Rae claims brother's words cost him ministerial job

Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae believes his brother Danny's public statements directly cost him his position as minister of state at the Department of Agriculture. Michael Healy-Rae resigned from the role in early April amid fallout from fuel price protests.

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it was not his brother's place to tell the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael parliamentary parties what to do.

In a candid interview with Radio Kerry, Michael Healy-Rae stated it was inappropriate for his brother to dictate actions to the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael parliamentary parties. He pointed to Danny Healy-Rae's comments the day before a crucial confidence vote, where he urged the parties to oust their leaders. Michael Healy-Rae feels these remarks made a return impossible and ultimately led to his constituency losing a ministry, which he described as deeply disappointing.

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the parties should topple their leaders.

Healy-Rae recounted efforts to rectify the situation in the hours before his resignation, but they proved futile, likening the situation to a fire already started. While acknowledging that 'Team Healy-Rae' has suffered from the events, he dismissed speculation about the political brand's demise. However, he stressed the need for introspection and support from reliable individuals.

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there was no way back from those stinging words and they ultimately resulted in the Kerry constituency losing a ministry, something he described as very disappointing.

Danny Healy-Rae, when contacted by RTÉ News, asserted that the 'Healy-Rae machine' remains strong but declined to comment on his brother's critical interview. He stated, "I am working as hard as ever, as are Johnny and Maura, and I'm sure Michael and Jackie are as well. That's the way it has to be."

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trying "everything in the world" to "put things right" in the hours leading up to his resignation but it proved futile as "the fire was started".