An investigation into the Dáil 'votegate' controversy is due to be completed tomorrow evening.
It will focus only on votes from last Thursday and the four Fianna Fáil TDs involved - Timmy Dooley, Niall Collins, Lisa Chambers and Dara Calleary.
Dáil statements on the controversy will then be held on Thursday.
Also understanding is there's no sanctions that either the Committee on Procedures or the Ceann Comhairle can take against the TDs. But complaints have also been made about some of the TDs involved to the Ethics Committee
— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) October 22, 2019
The Ceann Comhairle ordered a report into the controversy after it emerged over the weekend that Deputy Dooley took part in six Dáil votes last week despite not being present in the Dáil chamber at the time.
Deputy Dooley has explained that his party colleague Niall Collins voted on his behalf, under the 'mistaken belief' that he was present nearby.
It's understood complaints have also gone into the Oireachtas ethics committee about the matter.
The Ceann Comhairle has said all votes in the Dáil this week will only be carried out when TDs are in their own allocated seats.
'Raises questions'
Earlier, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said the situation raises some serious questions.
She argued: "We have found one situation where multiple votes were cast on behalf of a deputy who was not present.
"That raises the obvious question: was this a one off? Is this a pattern of behaviour?
"Then that raises questions over the results of votes - and I think that's really, really serious."
Leo Varadkar notes if an ordinary citizen voted twice it would be a crime
— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) October 22, 2019
Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil has installed Jack Chambers and Sean Haughey as temporary replacements for Timmy Dooley and Niall Collins on the party's frontbench.
The two TDs were stood down from the frontbench pending the inquiry into the votes last week.
Deputy Chambers will take up the communications brief for the time being, while Deputy Haughey will handle foreign affairs.
