*Fianna Fáil TD, Timmy Dooley. Photograph: John Mangan

Clare TD, Timmy Dooley has been temporarily suspended from his position on the Fianna Fáil front bench.

Deputy Dooley and Niall Collins, a TD for Limerick have been asked by party leader Micheál Martin to stand down from their respective roles as Spokesperson for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment with Collins responsible for Foreign Affairs and Trade.

It emerged this week that Dooley voted six times despite not being in the chamber of Dáil Éireann with Collins voting on his behalf. The Limerick TD admitted to voting on Dooley’s behalf and without his prior consent. “It’s not commonplace, but often someone might be taking a phone call or somebody might be having a conversation at the other side of the chamber and you might say to somebody ‘press the button’, or they might be sitting in the wrong seat.”

Following a report in The Irish Independent, Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl ordered an investigation with Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan urging the Ceann Comhairle to “act swiftly and decisively to protect the integrity of the parliamentary voting system”.

In a statement earlier this week, Dooley outlined, “I understand from Niall Collins, that under the mistaken belief that I was at the back of the chamber on the phone, he pressed my voting button. I have spoken to the Ceann Comhairle today, to explain what happened and apologise for the misunderstanding”.

On Sunday, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said he requested both Tds to step down from their front bench roles. “I don’t think it’s acceptable. I think I agree with the Ceann Comhairle that the integrity of the voting situation in Dáil Éireann is of the utmost importance be protected and must be respected at all times. I spoke the both deputies this morning. And I asked them without prejudice and pending the outcome of the report that the Ceann Comhairle has initiated into this, that they would step down from the Fianna Fail bench, and they both agreed to do that.

“And I think that I think underlines the seriousness with which I take this issue. I think it’s important that the Ceann Comhairle inquiry now gets underway. They’re both assured me that they will cooperate fully with the Ceann Comhairle in relation to this.”

Related News

trees shannon rossbracken
Flynn shaking the trees to get more contractors in Shannon
Shannon Estuary, County Clare, Ireland
'Huge opportunity coming down the Shannon Estuary'
sli na mara boreen 16-03-21 1
Continuous rock pelting in Boreen heightens call for greater visible Garda presence in Shannon
joe whelan 1
Ferguson Tractor Museum opens in Kilrush
Latest News
clare v antrim 16-03-24 andy mcentee 2
'He told one of our players to f*** off' - McEntee leaves Ennis furious with match officials
st josephs miltown v doonbeg 15-08-20 11
Lissycasey, Ennistymon, Miltown & Clondegad lead the way with Cusack Cup opening round wins
sli na mara boreen 16-03-21 1
Continuous rock pelting in Boreen heightens call for greater visible Garda presence in Shannon
clare v antrim ladies football 17-03-24 carla mckenna teresa collins 1
Clare parade past Antrim with ease to claim St Patrick's Day promotion
joe whelan 1
Ferguson Tractor Museum opens in Kilrush
Premium
clare v antrim ladies football 17-03-24 carla mckenna teresa collins 1
Clare parade past Antrim with ease to claim St Patrick's Day promotion
clare v limerick minor football 21-04-22 4 darren keane
Solid start for Clare's U20 footballers with win over Waterford
clare v cork 04-02-24 david reidy 2
Clare top Division 1A and qualify for league semi-finals
clare v antrim 16-03-24 joe mcgann kavan keenan 2
Clare footballers hold off Antrim to keep up fight for promotion
primary care centre ennis 1
Slow pace continues for primary care centres in Ennistymon & Sixmilebridge

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Scroll to Top