TDs have to sit in their seats for all future Dáil votes, the Taoiseach has said.
It means that Leo Varadkar is telling grown-up politicians that they will have to sit in their places like schoolchildren when the Dáil votes.
The Taoiseach said: “So to save any confusion, I think we should from now on be in our seats for all votes.”
His comments come in the wake of Votegate, which took centre stage in the Dáil this afternoon.
Votegate was sparked last Saturday when the Irish Independent reported that TD Niall Collins had allegedly voted for TD Timmy Dooley, both of Fianna Fáil, six times when Mr Dooley wasn’t even in the Chamber.
There was a routine vote on the Order of Business within minutes of Leaders’ Questions, and all TDs were in their seats for the snap vote - including deputies Dooley and Collins.
The day’s proceedings beginning with a statement from the Ceann Comhairle, Seán Ó Fearghaíl, warning TDs he won’t stand for dodgy voting anymore.
He said that he believes this is a “very grave” matter that has made him decide to dedicate hours of Thursday’s sitting to the false voting issue.
The Ceann Comhairle said it is “a serious situation that requires urgent attention.”
He added: “It is imperative that we get the facts to restore public confidence.”
Mr Varadkar welcomed the Ceann Comhairle’s statement when he spoke during Leaders’ Questions after Sinn Féin leader, Mary Lou McDOnald, raised the issue.
He said that if an ordinary citizen outside the Dáil voted twice at the ballot, this would be a crime, and that the same standards should be applied to politicians.
Ms McDonlad said that voting in the House is not a game of “musical chairs,” and that “the behaviour of Fianna Fáil TDs has discredited the Dáil.”
