Local TD Niamh Smyth has responded to criticism after a family member travelled to the special Dáil sitting at the weekend.
The Dáíl sat on Saturday to elect the new Taoiseach and the Cavan/Monaghan TD's mother was pictured at the occasion.
It's drawn criticism on social media as a breach of Covid-19 restrictions and as Taoiseach Micheál Martin's family didn't travel from Cork for the occasion.
Deputy Smyth says that the comments made on social media following this are 'most regrettable', as she was acting in the interest of road safety.
In a statement to Shannonside Northern Sound, she said that as an essential worker she had worked a 14 hour day and road safety comes first.
She said her mother travelled to Dublin ensure she was safe when travelling home, saying she always has a family member with her to take over in case of tiredness.
Niamh Smyth also said that she would not be engaging with comments online to protect her own mental health.
Full Statement from Niamh Smyth TD
Comments like this on social media are most regrettable.
I am an essential worker. After a 14 hour day road safety comes first and I would always have a family member with me to take over driving in case of tiredness.
As we know tiredness is a major killer on our roads.
