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Wed 07 Jul 2009Greens abstain and criticise Ahern on gangs Bill
THE GREEN Party last night voted against the Government for the first time since the administration was formed in 2007, when its two Senators rejected a guillotining of the final stage of the controversial Criminal Justice Amendment Bill.
Senators Dan Boyle and Deirdre de Burca also abstained in the final vote when the Bill was passed by 35 votes to 7, with the support of Fine Gael. The Greens voted against the Government motion to take the report or final stage last night rather than allowing extra time today but it was accepted by 24 to 20 votes.
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