Q&A: Did the Green Party let off O'Brien and Hourigan lightly?

Green party Junior Minister Joe O'Brien abstained on the final vote on the Residential Tenancies Bill. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

The light “sanction” on Minister Joe O’Brien and Neasa Hourigan by the Green Party for their actions in the Dáil on Thursday has surprised many within government and beyond. 

Normally, such moves are met with much swifter and harsher penalties.