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An investigation is being launched after a senior Fianna Fail TD claimed a party colleague voted for him while he was not in the D\u00e1il.<\/p>\nAn investigation is being launched after a senior Fianna Fail TD claimed a party colleague voted for him while he was not in the D\u00e1il.<\/p>\n
Timmy Dooley said he was absent from the chamber last Thursday when six votes were recorded in his name.<\/p>\n
The Clare TD said he believes his colleague Niall Collins voted on his behalf.<\/p>\n
In a statement, the Ceann Comhairle (House Speaker) Sean O\u2019Fearghail said the integrity of the voting system in D\u00e1il Eireann is of the \u201cutmost importance\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs Ceann Comhairle, I have a duty to ensure that the public can have total confidence in the D\u00e1il’s proceedings,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have asked the clerk of the D\u00e1il to prepare a report on the conduct of the votes for my urgent attention.\u201d<\/p>\n
Speaking to Clare FM on Saturday, Mr Dooley said he had to leave the chamber to take a phone call.<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cYesterday I was told my vote was recorded.<\/p>\n
\u201cI understand from my colleague, Niall Collins, who was sitting beside my seat, pressed my voting button under the mistaken belief that I was at the back of the chamber on my phone.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Irish Independent reported on Saturday that Mr Dooley voted in the D\u00e1il six times last Thursday, however footage shows he was absent during that time.<\/p>\n
Fine Gael TD Noel Rock called for Mr Dooley to \u201curgently explain\u201d what happened.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cOne of the most important jobs of a TD is voting on legislation in the D\u00e1il.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a responsibility and a privilege we bear as elected public representatives.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is extremely concerning to read in the Irish Independent today that Deputy Timmy Dooley was recorded as voting six times on Thursday of this week, when he was not present in the D\u00e1il chamber.<\/p>\n
\u201cVoting in the D\u00e1il is very straightforward, as we are all assigned a seat from which we vote. The notion that any TD could be recorded as voting while absent from the chamber is very worrying.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is important that Deputy Dooley and Fianna Fail issue a statement outlining all facts on how this could have occurred.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sinn F\u00e9in TD Maurice Quinlivan has urged the Oireachtas Committee on Procedure and Privilege to investigate the incident.<\/p>\n
He also called for last Thursday\u2019s D\u00e1il votes to be retaken.<\/p>\n
\u02baIt\u2019s an absolute disgrace that Fianna Fail TDs think they can act with such disregard for the rules and show such a level of arrogance by voting in the name of another TD not present in the D\u00e1il chamber,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n