Hanafin: Dáil voting mistake 'unacceptable'

A Senior Government Minister has said last night's voting mistake in the Dáil is simply "unacceptable".

The Government suffered a scare when a vote on holding an immediate by-election in Donegal South West ended in a tie after two Fianna Fáil TD's voted with the Opposition.

Frank Fahey and Timmy Dooley claim they pushed the wrong button in the electronic vote which was drawn 76-76.

It took the casting vote of the Ceann Comhairle to tip the vote to the Government.

Minister Mary Hanafin said "it is not good enough".

Ms Hanafin said: "It is never acceptable that people could make a mistake like that because the numbers are too tight."