Colour-blind Minister Ross votes against his own Bill

TRANSPORT Minister Shane Ross has blamed a case of colour blindness for a blunder that saw him vote against his own drink-driving legislation.

The Independent Alliance leader has been busy pushing his Road Traffic (Amendment Bill) 2017 since the Government was formed. This Bill will see a mandatory three-month ban for drivers who are found to be over the limit.

However, Minister Ross accidentally hit the wrong button as he cast his vote in the Dáil chamber yesterday – though he managed to correct this on the floor before it was submitted to the record.

In the Dáil, members use buttons that are red, green and blue to indicate if they want to vote for, against or abstain from a vote.

The red-faced minister said afterwards: ‘I tell you, it certainly caused a great deal of merriment around the Dáil today. I pressed the wrong button.

‘I happen to be colour blind, which is not a great advantage when you’ve got buttons that are red or green relative to how they work.

‘Because of my condition I can’t even check on the screen whether it’s right or wrong. Today, I was rather casual about it, I normally have someone with me to ensure I’m using the right one, but to my absolute horror I realised I had pressed the wrong one.’

Speaking on Today FM’s The Last Word, he added: ‘It caused a great deal of revelry and, yes, I must admit it was rather embarrassing.’

The Bill was passed by 85 votes to eight, with 37 abstentions.

Minister Ross’s legislation had proven controversial, with accusations from a number of rural TDs that it would damage small pubs and their customers.

Despite the gaffe, the Transport Minister was delighted his Bill will now be passed to the committee stage for debate on amendments.