Michael Healy-Rae resigns as minister at Department of Agriculture

Michael Healy-Rae TD is to resign from his minister of state at the Department of Agriculture portfolio ahead of a crunch confidence vote in the Government.

“I have always looked at myself as a gauge of rural Ireland and I really believe that I am," he told the Dáil, speaking from the Government benches.

“When I see people begging on the side of the road, when I see grown men crying, last night inside in the Plough Bar where I met tractor men, lorry men, farmers and when they were telling me how unhappy they were the leader of the country should have listened

“And because of the fact that I believe this Government has left the people of Ireland down, I will be voting no confidence in the leader of the country and I will be tendering my resignation as a minister of state from now.

“And I would ask that future Governments and this Government from now would listen, would be kind, would be understanding.”

Support

The move will hit Government support in the Dáil, as the position of numerous independent TDs who had previously supported the Government remains unclear.

Michael Healy-Rae had special responsibility for forestry, farm safety and horticulture in the Department since his appointment on 29 January 2025.

The outgoing junior minister’s fellow Kerry TD and brother Danny Healy-Rae had declined to state whether he would support the Government in Tuesday's vote in the run-up to Michael Healy-Rae's resignation.

Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon acknowledged Healy-Rae for his role “as minister for forestry” and as a “good colleague in the Department of Agriculture”.

Minister Heydon warned TDs that toppling the Government would risk delaying the supports announced this week aimed at relieving some of the cost increases on fuel for farmers, hauliers, agri contractors and the general public.

“This support of 27.4c/l [to green diesel] will be to the benefit of both farmers and contractors, recognising their central role in sustaining essential food production,” the Minister said.

“So, we have a choice here to make … those in opposition can attempt to either dismiss or ignore these supports and try to prevent their introduction or they can choose to engage with me in my Department on their rollout to those who need them most, the choice is yours.”

More to follow