Potential king-maker outlines price of his Government support

A potential ‘king-maker’ in the post-election jostling for power has prioritised local health services in Galway as the price of his support.

Independent Galway/Roscommon TD, Denis Naughten said he is willing to prop-up a minority Government after the general election – as long as it maintains and invests in Portiuncula Hospital Ballinasloe and Roscommon Hospital, and local health services.

Deputy Naughten this week declined to comment on rumours that he has been approached by senior members of Fine Gael, who are anxious to ‘shore-up’ like-minded independents who would support a Government led by Enda Kenny, in the event that the current Coalition with Labour falls short of the number of TDs required.  But Deputy Naughten, who launched his general election campaign to over 400 supporters in Athleague at the weekend, said he would negotiate with Fine Gael or other parties, if he is re-elected.

And he will use his bargaining power to secure jobs and investment in health services for Galway and Roscommon.

“If I’m elected, and that’s the first thing that I am concentrating on. But if I am elected, and if I am in a position whereby I can negotiate a deal with any incoming Government, then yes, I will try and do a deal that will benefit the constituency of Roscommon/Galway,” Deputy Naughten said.

Deputy Naughten, who resigned from Fine Gael over the closure of Roscommon Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department, has been very vocal on the maternity review and staffing issues at Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe. He said his support in any deal with a new Government would hinge on health services locally being protected.

Deputy Naughten said the price of his support would be guarantees on “Maintaining our existing services in our hospitals and further investment in the health services in Roscommon and Galway.”

He added: “Investment in job creation in Galway and Roscommon would be another priority.”