Mr Thomas Gildea, Independent TD (Donegal South-West), saved the Government from major embarrassment last night when he supported it in a very close vote on the provision of services for the mentally disabled.
The House accepted by 73 votes to 71 the Government's amendment to give additional funding of £25 million and to provide £30 million for a National Capital Programme over four years.
During a fiery debate on a private members' motion, the Opposition parties and Independents demanded an immediate minimum of £30 million in capital funding for residential and respite care and £30 million to fund new services and places in education, training, and sheltered and supported employment.
Two other Independents who have "arrangements" with the Government, Ms Mildred Fox (Wicklow) and Mr Jackie Healy- Rae (Kerry South ), also backed it.
In one of the best attended debates in recent months Fianna Fail deputies shored up the Minister for Health, Mr Cowen, outlining his commitment to services for the mentally handicapped and stating that behind the "tough" exterior, he had a "heart" where such services were concerned.
Ruairi Quinn, said he was "shattered" that the Government was opposing the joint Opposition motion. This was the first Government to have the funds to provide such supports and the Minister for Finance had banked £1 billion
The biggest applause from the packed gallery of families and supporters of those with mental handicap went to Ms Mary Hanafin (FF, Dun Laoghaire).
She recalled the remark of the mother of a mentally handicapped child who said that if her son were "a criminal, a cow, or had a hurley in his left hand" he would receive more money than he did now.