Clare TD Michael McNamara has admitted he voted against the government in an amendment on the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill overnight, but says he didn’t realise the implications of his vote.
Deputy McNamara voted in favour of an amendment on fatal foetal abnormalities just before proceedings were adjourned until this afternoon- but afterwards a Labour spokesperson insisted it was a genuine error.
Speaking on Clare FM the Labour TD said he voted against party lines as he didn’t have "time to appreciate the legislative consequences" of his decision, and added the view that TDs shouldn’t have been voting at 5 o’clock in the morning.
The Deputy says he wants to see the issue of fatal foetal abnormalities addressed but accepts that it can’t be part of this abortion bill and will be voting with government as further amendments on the controversial abortion legislation are debated this afternoon.
