Kenny reprimands errant TD Deasy

FINE GAEL upheld its ‘family at war’ reputation last night, when justice spokesman John Deasy was again reprimanded by party leader Enda Kenny.

In his latest clash with the party hierarchy, Mr Deasy went against his Fine Gael colleagues to surprisingly vote with the Government on the controversial Immigration Bill.

Previously, Mr Deasy has received a rap across the knuckles from Mr Kenny for criticising former leader John Bruton and suggesting that some of his frontbench colleagues should be replaced.

He also challenged his party's stance on the release of the 'Border Fox', Dessie O'Hare.

The Waterford TD was first elected last year and is the son of the former Minister for Agriculture Austin Deasy one of the stars of the RTÉ documentary on Fine Gael, A Family At War.

The formality of passing the bill was highlighted when Mr Deasy defied his party whip in his most serious run-in with the party leadership to date.

Mr Kenny was not present when the vote was taken, but shortly afterwards he issued a statement saying he would be speaking with Deputy Deasy to clarify his decision.

According to Mr Kenny, Fine Gael voted against the Report Stage of the Immigration Bill in protest at the Government's failure to provide adequate time to debate more than 10 pages of amendments, and because a guillotine timetable was used.

"This is not a matter of policy difference. Fine Gael had not objected to the principle of this piece of legislation, but we had tabled a number of amendments to its provisions," he said.

The Immigration Bill introduces faster processing of some refugee claims, and extends the period for which asylum-seekers can be detained while their claim is determined.

Fine Gael had supported the majority of the provisions of the bill through debate and committee stages in Leinster House.

The Green Party accused Fine Gael of assisting in passing the bill, as Mr Deasy had voted in favour when the rest of the party voted against it.

Sinn Féin said Mr Deasy's actions showed that Fine Gael was not capable of providing real opposition.

Sinn Féin justice spokesman Aengus Ó Snodaigh suggested Deputy Deasy was vying for a cameo role in the RTÉ documentary.

He said: "That the Fine Gael party cannot even count on the support or discipline of its own spokespersons best illustrates the chronic position that party finds itself in.

"It is abundantly clear that Fine Gael are not an opposition party.

"Mr Deasy's actions show that Fine Gael are not capable of providing an alternative to the people of Ireland, because their gut instinct is to follow the PD-led government line."