The Fianna Fáil TDs involved in last week’s votegate controversy have made formal apologies to the Dáil.
It comes after an initial report into the incident recommended no further sanctions against the TDs.
Two Fianna Fáil TDs voted twice in a debate last week on behalf of absent colleagues; one of the latter of whom was Clare’s Timmy Dooley.
It’s the controversy that’s dominated the Dáil this week.
The four TDs involved – Timmy Dooley, Barry Cowen, Niall Collins and Lisa Chambers – apologised to the Dáil this evening.
Party leader Micheál Martin said it was unacceptable – but was defensive in his speech.
Government Chief Whip Sean Kyne did try to stick the boot in.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald also highly critical.
And Labour’s Brendan Howlin said a question of democracy should be taken more seriously.
It’s not the end of the process.
Another investigation is looking at the phantom voting issue and will take a few more weeks.
While TDs Niall Collins and Timmy Dooley remain suspended from the Fianna Fáil front bench.
