'I voted in error' and TDs should not be voting in middle of night, McNamara claims

The Labour TD who voted against the Government on the abortion laws last night says our parliament should not be legislating in the middle of the night.

The Labour TD who voted against the Government on the abortion laws last night by accident said the Dáil should not be legislating in the middle of the night.

Clare Deputy Michael McNamara cast his vote against the whip on the issue of fatal foetal abnormalities just before 5am this morning.

The Labour party was quick to explain it was a 'mistake'.

Deputy McNamara told Clare FM radio he was confused, but wants to see the issue of fatal foetal abnomalities addressed in the future.

He said he did not have time to think through the "exact legislative effect" of the vote, and he should not have been in the position of casting a vote in the early hours of the morning.

"As soon as I had time to think it through, I realised that I had indeed voted in error," he said.

"Did I think all that through at five to five in the morning? No I didn't. Do I think we should be legislating at five to five in the morning? No, I don’t."

Meanwhile, Minister of State Michael Ring also said late night Dáil sittings are not healthy - but he has to do what he's told.

Speaking to Northern Sound radio, the Minister said he would prefer if the Dáil took less holidays and sat in August if needs be.

"We don't know whether it's going to go on until 12 o'clock tonight or six o'clock in the morning," he said of today's planned debate.

"Personally, I think it's not healthy. I went into my bed this morning at ten past six, and I was up again this morning."

"It's not good for people's health … but anyway, I have to do what I'm told as does every member of the party."