THE CONDUCT of two Fianna Fáil TDs absent for crucial Dáil votes last week was sharply criticised last night by Taoiseach Brian Cowen and Government chief whip Pat Carey in front of their fellow colleagues in the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party.
Kerry North TD Tom McEllistrim and Donegal North East TD Jim McDaid were absent from the Dáil for crucial votes on the emergency Bill to give financial guarantees to Irish banks last week.
Last night, Mr Cowen told Fianna Fáil TDs that a repeat of such conduct will not be tolerated: "If fellows want to be local politicians then there are places in their home counties where they can do," he said pointedly. The coming months will be difficult and will require discipline. The Government chief whip, who is still fuming about the behaviour of the two TDs, warned TDs that a failure to win financial resolution votes would lead to the downfall of the Government "and then all of us would be back out on the road".
Mr McEllistrim, who rarely contributes to the Dáil's public business, is understood to have missed the vote because he was canvassing in his home constituency. However, there is no sign that the TDs will face disciplinary measures. They could lose the whip for such conduct, but that is most unlikely given that the Government is just days away from the budget. Some 15 Government party TDs were absent for one of the votes on an amendment to the legislation on Wednesday, leaving the Government with a smaller majority than expected.
