FG takes no disciplinary action over ‘lapgate’

Fine Gael’s Tom Barry will escape any disciplinary action despite the party describing his behaviour towards a female colleague in the Dáil chamber as “unacceptable”.

Enda Kenny declined to condemn the behaviour of the Cork East TD who grabbed Áine Collins by the waist and pulled her on to his lap.

The incident took place just before 3am as TDs gathered for a vote on a proposed amendment to the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill.

As she walked into the chamber, Ms Collins commented that she was cold. It’s understood he said he would “warm her up” and pulled her in to sit on his knee.

A video capturing the incident became an internet sensation yesterday and the incident was reported internationally.

The party initially downplayed the event as “horseplay” and “silliness” between two friends and said there was no maliciousness involved. But it was later forced to backtrack and insist it recognised the seriousness of such actions.

A statement from FG’s general secretary, Tom Curran, said: “I wish to make it clear that the instinctive characterisation last night of the incident as ‘horseplay involving two people’ doesn’t reflect how Fine Gael views this kind of behaviour.

“If it happened in any other workplace, it would be unacceptable. That it happened on the floor of Leinster House makes it more so.”

Mr Barry was understood to have been “severely reprimanded” by Mr Curran. But a party spokesperson confirmed there are currently no plans to take disciplinary action against him.

In the short statement, Mr Barry described his behaviour as “disrespectful and inappropriate”. “I have apologised to Áine Collins and she graciously and immediately accepted my apology. No excuses, I just shouldn’t have done it.”