This article is from page 2 of the 2006-10-10 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 2 JPG
THE Taoiseach’s three weeks in turmoil have brought Independent TD James Breen back into the national limelight, as trouble simmers between the Government coalition parties.
The former Fianna Fáil councillor has been named among seven to eight other independent deputies likely to fill the gap should the Progressive Democrats pull out of government.
The Clare TD was playing his cards very close to his chest when asked about such a possibility however. He said no such approach had been made as yet. And if it had?
“I’d sit back and evaluate and do what was best for the country and democracy,” he said.
Deputy Breen, who last week called for an early General Election, declared as an independent candidate in 2001 when he was not selected to represent Fianna Fáil in Clare.
He went on to make history in 2002 when he polled 9,721 first preference votes, just 333 short of the quota.
During the campaign, he was vocal on issues such as Ennis General Hospital and Shannon Airport, two issues that continue to dominate the political landscape.
Time will tell if the Fianna Fáil Independent will work with his former colleagues in the dying months of this Government.
Whatever the outcome, the nation’s eyes will continue to focus on the political landscape of Clare on Sunday.
The second of a series of TNSMRBI Nuacht TG4 opinion polls on voting preferences in the upcoming General Election will be broadcast live from Ennis that evening at 6.45 pm.
Voters will be asked to indicate how they will give their preferences to all the declared candidates in the constituency.
In this comprehensive poll, people will be asked to indicate as many preferences as they wish, as they will on polling day.