Post date: Jul 11, 2013 4:59:45 PM
Irish MP Tom Barry issues a statement apologising for pulling a female colleague on to his lap in the Irish parliament during a marathon debate on abortion.
DUBLIN, IRELAND (JULY 11, 2013) (OIREACHTAS BROADCASTING UNIT) - An Irish MP from the country's ruling Fine Gael party issued an apology on Thursday (July 11) for pulling a female colleague on to his lap during a break in a marathon abortion debate in the Irish parliament.
The incident was caught on camera inside the Irish parliament, called the Dail. It showed Tom Barry pulling fellow Teachta Dala (Dail member) Aine Collins on to his lap for several seconds. It happened in the early hours of Thursday morning during a break in the all-night debate on introducing limited abortion in the country.Fine Gael later issued an apology from Barry.
Ireland's parliament adjourned the debate early on Thursday on a bill that would legalise abortion for the first time, following an overnight session of emotional speeches on an issue that has long polarised the staunchly Roman Catholic country. The debate was due to resume later on Thursday.