Labour blames ‘misunderstanding’ for senators’ absence in Seanad vote

An embarrassing defeat for the Government in the Seanad has been blamed on a “misunderstanding” after four Labour senators failed to turn up for a vote on proposed changes to upward only rents.

The bizarre explanation comes after ministers closed ranks around the leadership yesterday following a difficult week for Labour.

Labour senators have told the Irish Examiner it was agreed they could miss Wednesday night’s vote, the Government’s first major defeat in the Seanad. This was denied by the party’s Seanad whip.

The four senators — John Whelan, John Kelly, Jimmy Harte, and Denis Landy — could now face disciplinary procedures.

Mr Whelan said: “There’s no mystery or mischief. Our understanding was the Government would accept the legislation. We were then absent by agreement.

“We were as surprised as anyone when the vote was called. I had a prior engagement. There was nothing mischievous or Machiavellian about this. By Wednesday, we were told the Government would accept the bill.

“That afternoon, I spoke with Aideen Hayden [the Seanad party whip] with my suitcase in my hand and she said fine [about going].”

He said he did not think coalition senators would block future government legislation if the electorate votes to abolish the Seanad in today’s referendum.

However, Ms Hayden disagreed with Mr Whelan. She concurred there was confusion about voting, but said there was agreement since lunchtime on Wednesday that the Government would challenge Independent senator Feargal Quinn’s bill on upward-only rents, which would in turn cause a vote.

She said the Government was told in the week by Fianna Fáil that there would be no official “pairing”. Pairing means missing senators are exempt by being “paired” with opposing senators who agree to abstain from voting

Ms Hayden said she, as party whip in the Seanad, was given no official notification by senators they would not be there.

“John knows what his obligations are and knows he’s not excused without having a formal pairing.”

She said she was satisfied there was no conspiracy and the issue did not relate to the Labour leadership.

“There may have been confusion about what the position was on the bill, but that is not an excuse to not be in the house.”

Meanwhile, Energy Minister Pat Rabbitte said yesterday that Eamon Gilmore had been the most effective leader of the Labour Party in its history, but he added: “Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown. He is taking the flack, a great deal of it unfair in my view.”