Three Fine Gael Senators Back In The Party After Golfgate Scandal

Fine Gael has declined to comment on why it chose to re-admit three senators, stripped of the party whip over their attendance at the Oireachtas Golf Society event in Clifden last August, on the day of the publication of the landmark Mother and Baby Homes report.

Fine Gael's Jerry Buttimer, Paddy Burke and John Cummins were told yesterday they were back in the parliamentary party, following a party meeting yesterday afternoon. Three Fianna Fáil Senators Paul Daly, Aidan Davitt and Niall Blaney were also stripped of their party whip over their attendance at the dinner, which breached covid-19 restrictions. According to the Irish Independent,  Fianna Fáil also confirmed that a proposal to readmit the three to the parliamentary party will be on the agenda for a meeting tonight.