The Sinn Féin leader has admitted his party should have had at least one TD present in the Dáil chamber yesterday.

Gerry Adams' admission came after only one TD was present in the house when the Prisons Bill was being passed.

The situation meant Junior Minister Ann Phelan was the only person present when the House was asked to approve each section of the bill.

The minister was left reading a number of pre-prepared speeches to an empty chamber - with only the chairman, Leas Ceann Comhairle Michael Kitt there to hear her.

Mr Adams admits that should not have been the case, and there should have been at least one TD from his party there too.