THE DÁIL IS set to vote tomorrow on a confidence motion in the government over its ongoing handling of the fuel crisis. 

However, a number of Independent TDs who signed up to support the coalition, are still mulling over what way they will vote tomorrow. 

Sinn Fein will table a motion of no confidence in the government, but this will be countered by a confidence motion put down by the government itself. 

When asked by The Journal if they plan to back the government, Ministers of State Sean Canney, Marian Harkin and Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran all confirmed they would be voting confidence in the government. 

However, Meath East’s Gillian Toole said she is still “weighing up everything”. 

Dublin Bay North’s Barry Heneghan told The Journal that he is “carefully considering” his position with his team ahead of tomorrow’s  vote.

“My focus is and always has been delivering real outcomes for my constituents and making changes to our energy system.

“A key priority for me right now is progressing my legislation on private wires, which would reduce wasted renewable energy and strengthen Ireland’s energy system. That work depends on a functioning government.

“I’ll make my final decision based on what best supports stability and delivery for the people of Ireland,” he said. 

The Journal is still awaiting a response from Michael Lowry, Noel Grealish and Michael Healy Rae. 

RTÉ reports today that Kerry TD Danny Healy-Rae, whose brother is a minister of state, said he couldn’t give a straight answer at this point but believes there is a view on the ground that Taoiseach Micheál Martin has lost touch with the people.

Back when the government was formed last year, Martin poured cold water over the suggestion by Independent TDs supporting government that it was agreed they could cast their votes on a “case-by-case” basis. 

The vote of no confidence to be tabled against the government is a “big test” for Independents who are part of the coalition, People Before Profit Richard Boyd Barrett has said. 

The Social Democrats, Labour, People Before Profit, and Independent Ireland have said they would back the motion of no confidence in the government.

The Green Party said it would also vote no confidence, but because the government had “failed to protect Irish people’s ability to go about their lives for five days” and for the delay to carbon tax increases.

Boyd Barrett and Paul Murphy said government-supporting Independents will need to “decide which side they are on”.

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“It’s a big test now, isn’t it?” Boyd Barrett said at a press conference held in Dublin about energy costs.

“Are the so-called independents just Fianna Fail and Fine Gael in disguise or are they actually representing the interests of ordinary people? So it’s a big test for them.

“We certainly believe that people out there who want action on the housing crisis, who feel Fianna Fail and Fine Gael failed to deliver that should put maximum pressure on these so called independents to decide which side they are on.”

Murphy said Independent TD for Kerry Danny Healy-Ray needed to decide if he was “on the side of protesters or is he on the side of his brother, who is a government minister”.

“I think there is a real question for the Independents. I think the Independents have to recognise that if they vote confidence in this government, they are likely to pay a very, very serious price at the next general election.”

With reporting by Press Association