The Government had comfortable majorities this evening when the Dáil passed all stages of the controversial social welfare Bill which gives effect to some €762 million in cuts.
An electronic vote on the Bill was won by 80 to 74 votes.
Labour whip Emmet Stagg claimed the legislation had been “bulldozed” through the House and demanded a walk-through vote, where deputies pass through the ‘Ta’ and ‘Nil’ lobbies.
The Government won this vote by 81 to 75. As expected Independents Jackie Healy-Rae, Michael Lowry and Noel Grealish supported the Government as did Dr Jimmy Devins and Eamon Scanlon the Fianna Fail deputies without the party whip.
Maverick TD Jim McDaid was not in the House for the final votes and neither was former ceann comhairle John O’Donoghue, or former taoiseach Bertie Ahern who had another engagement, while Donegal TD Niall Blaney was away on parliamentary business, but their non-attendance was expected and “absorbed” in the vote.