An Opposition attempt to censure Independent TD Tom Gildea in the Dáil has failed. The Dáil voted by a margin of four votes to accept Deputy Gildea's apology for remarks he made about former Justice Minister Nora Owen last week.
Mr Gildea was in the Dáil chamber but he did not speak, despite several appeals from the Opposition for him to do so. Labour leader Ruairí Quinn offered him speaking time.
Government speakers insisted that, while they deplored Deputy Gildea's remarks, he had withdrawn them and apologised.
Marine Minister Frank Fahey accused Fine Gael of playing politics with the issue, while Defence Minister Michael Smith said that it was now time for closure on the subject.
Deputy Gildea was also supported by his fellow Independents, with Mildred Fox saying his apology was genuine, while Jackie Healy Rae appealed to Nora Owen and Fine Gael to accept it.
But Fine Gael insisted his apology did not go far enough, with former Taoiseach John Bruton accusing Deputy Gildea of being a disgrace to the House. There were no surprises in the voting, with the censure motion being defeated by 77 votes to 73.
