An associate of the Healy-Rae brothers has said he believes they could rectify their issues, but added there is a "sting in the air" following Michael Healy-Rae's claims that his brother Danny cost him his ministerial job.
The day before a crucial confidence vote in the Government in the wake of the protests, Danny Healy-Rae said the Coalition parties should topple their leaders.
In an interview on Radio Kerry yesterday, Michael Healy-Rae said that it was not his brother's place to tell the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael parliamentary parties what to do.
Independent Tralee Councillor Sam Locke was one of a number of political figures to share their views as the political fallout from Michael Healy-Rae's forthright interview about his resignation as a minister of state at the Department of Agriculture continues.
Speaking on Radio Kerry, Cllr Sam Locke, who works more closely with Michael Healy Rae, said he believes the brothers can resolve their issues.
"There is a sting there, and naturally enough, that if it happens between any two brothers, there would be a sting," he said.
"Over time, things could be rectified. Nothing is broken in the sense where families are concerned. I'm sure they will rectify their issues," he added.
Watch: Moment Michael Healy-Rae tendered resignation as minister of state in Dáil
However, Cllr Locke was unsure as to whether the brothers would engage in any further electoral pacts as they have done in previous general elections.
"People have a tendency to move on from politics. When you have enough of it, you allow somebody to move in and maybe there is an opportunity there for fresh blood to come in. I don't know," he said.
"Will Danny retire after his term? I don't know that. In some cases, people say 'right, I have enough' and move on and leave it the younger generation," Cllr Locke added.
The Tralee representative was speaking amid heightened speculation Michael Healy-Rae will run on a joint ticket with his son Jackie Jnr at the next general election, to the potential detriment of Danny Healy-Rae or one of his offspring.
Jackie Healy-Rae Jnr is a councillor for Castleisland, while Danny's children Maura and Johnny are councillors for Killarney and Kenmare respectively.
Other councillors who have worked closely with the Healy-Rae political machine have also spoken in favour of Michael.
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"I totally stand by Michael, if there were ten number ones to give, he would always have mine," said Independent Listowel Cllr Liam 'Speedy' Nolan to RTÉ.
Referring to Danny Healy-Rae's initial interview ahead of the Government confidence vote, Cllr Nolan said: "When you are in something together, and something is done behind your back, it's very hard to deal with."
"I don't know what they are going to do going forward, I don't ask. That's a matter for the Healy-Rae side.
"All I do know is that it was such a blow to Michael to lose the ministry six weeks ago.
"He needed time to himself. He took it to heart and he was at an all-time low.
"Politics has been put aside to friendship from my perspective, to get him over the last few weeks," he added.
Independent Killarney Councillor Niall ‘Botty’ O'Callaghan said he was disappointed for both Michael and Danny that they are not getting along.
Alluding to previous comments he made that Kerry losing a ministry was akin to a football team losing its corner forward, Cllr O'Callaghan said: "The game is going on now and we have nobody to score."
This morning, when asked about Michael Healy-Rae's future on his way into Cabinet, Tánaiste Simon Harris said his door always remained open to having conversations and engaging in the future.
Mr Harris described Mr Healy-Rae as a passionate minister for forestry and added how it was always painful to see family acrimony playing out in public, as it was with the Healy-Raes.
Kerry retains a ministerial presence in the form of Minister for Children Norma Foley.
Speaking on RTÉs Drivetime, Ms Foley said: "I think this is a family matter. I know Michael very well. I know Danny very well. I have enormous respect for both of them.
"I think the issues they have presently are family issues and they should be allowed resolve those amongst the family. I will continue to do my work to represent the people of Kerry."
When asked if Mr Healy-Rae would be welcome back as a minister, Ms Foley said: "I think in politics, it's always about the art of the possible. Who knows what the future will hold?".
The five TDs representing Kerry are independents Michael and Danny Healy-Rae, Fianna Fáil's Norma Foley and Michael Cahill and Sinn Féin's Pa Daly.
There is much local speculation that the constituency might be split into two three-seaters for the next general election, as it was prior to 2016.
