In an interview on Deise Today this week, Waterford Independent TD Matt Shanahan defended his voting patterns, disputing narratives that he continually votes with the Government.
Deputy Shanahan defended his stance when the matter was raised.
"The government have a significant majority with or without my vote", said Deputy Shanahan. "That's the first thing that people need to understand. I vote against Government 64% of the time. Thats on the Dail record. I'm not voting with them all the time."
Deputy Shanahan acknowledged that he has sided with the government on key votes but explained his reasoning.
"Now I get access to go into these rooms and keep working with department officials and I am in ministerial meetings and meetings with the HSE etc. That's the whole point of giving support to Government. You can check this out with some of the opposition figures past and present, that is the way it is. You can ask around the house, that is the way it is."
