A report into the Dáil vote-gate controversy has recommended no disciplinary action but does call for a review of how TDs vote.
It’s been branded a whitewash by some in Fine Gael while the Dáil has heard it’s eroded public confidence in the parliament.
The review by the clark of the Dáil found TD Niall Collins thought his colleague Timmy Dooley was in the Dáil chamber when he voted on his behalf six times.
Deputy Dooley says he never asked Mr Collins to vote on his behalf when he left the chamber to take a phonecall and didn’t come back.
Video footage shows the pair having a brief conversation before he left.
Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil Sean O Fearghail said the event can’t be repeated ahead of a wider debate later.
But the report does not recommend disciplinary action, with that being a matter for another investigation now ongoing
It says TDs should have to be in their own seats at all times when voting, and calls for an international review of best practice.
Some Fine Gael Ministers have branded it a whitewash ahead of Dáil statements on the controversy this afternoon.
