Bruton defends FG U-turn on pairing

Fine Gael's Richard Bruton has defended his party's position following its reversal of a threat to block the Taoiseach from attending an important EU summit by refusing to sanction a pairing arrangement for Dáil votes.

The practice of pairing - where the Opposition agrees to one of its deputies abstaining from a Dáil vote in instances where a Government deputy cannot vote due to absence - has been widely used to enable Govt members carry out official business.