Blow for coalition as TDs rebel over stag hunting bill
The Government's stability was dealt another serious blow last night when a Fianna Fail TD voted against it over the contentious stag hunting ban.
But the fallout from the Green Party animal welfare laws also extended to the Labour Party and the state greyhound board. Labour last night removed the party whip from Tommy Broughan for abstaining from the vote.
A second Fianna Fail TD also faces an investigation today after he "missed" a crucial vote on the legislation.
And two independent TDs who have deals to support the coalition also voted against the new law, which will ban the Ward Union Hunt in Co Meath and north Co Dublin.
The Government needed the support of two other independents to scrape through on the vote, which caused huge divisions. It was won by just three votes -- 75 to 72.
The outcome means the Government's majority narrows even further and Taoiseach Brian Cowen can only rely upon the votes of 70 TDs.
Fianna Fail TD Mattie McGrath immediately lost the party whip after he voted with the opposition on the Wildlife Amendment Act.
Independent TDs Jackie Healy-Rae and Michael Lowry also voted against the Government -- the first time they have done so since agreeing a deal to back the coalition.
Irish Independent
