This article is from page 4 of the 2013-07-16 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
MICHAEL McNamara (Lab) is not the first Clare TD to vote with the opposition while in Government.
Fellow east Clareman and Fianna Fáil TD Timmy Dooley mistakenly voted with the opposition when his party was in Government, when he accidentally pressed the voting button of an absent TD.
The seat beside Deputy Dooley was vacant at the time “he pressed the wrong button”.
Deputy Dooley said that he informed the clerk of the Dáil of the mistake as he had made straight away and that he intended voting with his Fianna Fáil party and against the Government at the time.
TDs have been known to regularly press the wrong button, but have 60 seconds to rectify it and usually do so.
Meanwhile all four Clare TDs voted for the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013, with the exception of Deputy McNamara “mistakenly” voting for one opposition amendment.
Fine Gael deputies Pat Breen and Joe Carey voted as directed by the party whip in favour of the controversial legislation.
Deputy Dooley was not governed by his party whip as Fianna Fáil allowed for a free vote of conscience.
The Clare deputy voted for the bill.