Dermot Ahern keen to vote, if 'in absentia' procedure can be confirmed

Despite earlier reports to the contrary, Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern is keen to vote in today's motion of confidence in Taoiseach Brian Cowen, with a procedure to allow him to vote from his hospital bed being worked out today.

Minister Ahern underwent a hip operation last Friday and is recovering in hospital. It was believed that he would not vote tonight.