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Healy-Rae outburst suspends Dáil 

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By Sean Moriarty

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae said his much publicised row on live television in the Dáil on Wednesday is taking the limelight off the real reason he was engaging with Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe.

Deputy Healy-Rae was asking the Minister for answers regarding the increase on VAT on hospitality sector services when the row broke out – suspending the Dáil for some time.

The Kerry TD had been asking the Minister to keep the VAT rate under review as promised when the Government increased the charge from nine percent to 13 percent in last year’s budget.

During the debate, Healy-Rae took offence at Donohoe’s suggestion that the Kerry Deputy chose not to go into Government in 2016.

Healy-Rae was outraged by the remark and repeatedly told Donohoe: “You told a lie, you told a lie”. The subsequent outburst was broadcast live and has been shared multiple times on social media platforms.

“What people are missing is the reason I had the floor in the first place,” Healy-Rae told the Killarney Advertiser yesterday (Thursday).

“I was holding the Government to account. They said they would monitor the situation when they introduced the increase in VAT last year, but from what I am hearing from the people and businesses of Killarney and Kerry, is that the charge is having a negative effect on their businesses. I was holding the Minister to account and in the middle of, for reasons best known to himself, he told a lie about me and this would have gone on the Dáil record unless I challenged him and put the record straight. I was in the middle of a terrible important debate. If the Minister told lies about me to avoid the question in hand, only he can answer that.”

 

 

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Contactless payments launched on Local Link services

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Passengers using TFI Local Link Kerry services in Killarney and across the county can now pay for their journeys using contactless card payments.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) confirmed the rollout this week, allowing commuters to simply tap their debit card, credit card, or mobile devices, such as Apple Pay and Google Pa, when boarding.

The move is designed to offer more convenience for those using high-frequency rural and regional routes.

In Killarney, the new payment option will be available on the TFI Anseo town services, which have seen a significant increase in passenger numbers since their introduction.

The contactless system is currently available for single journey fares, while those using daily or weekly passes can continue to use the Leap website or the TFI Leap Top Up App.
Alan O’Connell, General Manager of TFI Local Link Kerry, welcomed the modernisation of the fleet.

“The introduction of contactless payments is another welcome step forward for public transport in Kerry,” he said. “It complements other major projects in the county, including the expansion of TFI Local Link services and the delivery of TFI Anseo in Killarney, which is proving to be another great initiative.”

While the new technology offers a modern alternative, traditional payment methods are not being phased out. Cash payments, TFI Leap cards, and Free Travel Cards all remains fully valid across the network.

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How will our Kerry TDs vote tomorrow?

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Tomorrow, Sinn Féin will be tabling a motion of no confidence against the Government after the protests that took place nationwide during the week.

Earlier today we asked our readers how would they vote in a no confidence motion against the Government?

Most of our readers said they would vote no confidence, while some said, yes they do have confidence in the Government.

One reader said: “Vote confidence. The only proper leadership over the last few days came from government. Courage came when needed despite how unpopular it looked in the moment. By contrast, opposition politicians wanted the country to burn to suit themselves”.

Another reader stated: “No confidence. Shambolic and heavy handed handling of protests this past week”.

However, some people didn’t have any confidence in either side with a reader saying: “No confidence in the no confidence! Different wings of the same bird! We need a complete overhaul of the political system”.

We asked the question to our 5 Kerry TDs before lunch-time today, asking them what their vote will be tomorrow.

We received one reply from Sinn Féin’s Kerry TD Pa Daly.

He will be voting no confidence in the Government tomorrow along with his party.

Other media outlets are reporting that Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae is undecided at the moment.

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