Ireland. Controversial Defamation Bill passes by a single vote

10.07.09, IRISHTIMES (IE). THE DEFAMATION Bill was passed by a single vote after the Government nearly suffered a defeat on an amendment by Fine Gael’s Eugene Regan which would have deleted the offence of blasphemy from the Bill. The Opposition won one of the electronic votes on Senator Regan’s proposed amendment, but the amendment was defeated by one vote in the subsequent “walk-through” vote called by the Fianna Fáil whip. The cathaoirleach had to cast his vote in two other crucial divisions to ensure victory for the Government.