Taoiseach rejects calls for ‘free vote’ of no confidence

FIANNA FÁIL was last night challenged to allow its TDs to vote with their conscience in a “free vote” on the motion of no confidence in Health Minister Mary Harney.

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore reasoned that if Fianna Fáil TDs were allowed to vote freely and as they wished, Ms Harney would be defeated in tonight’s crucial vote.

“I think if you were to give your deputies a free vote in the house this evening, there wouldn’t be any doubt about the outcome,” he said.