Luke 'Ming' Flanagan has defended his poor voting record in the European Parliament.
The Independent MEP says he's been doing his 'damnedest' as an MEP here in Ireland, even though he has missed a number of votes in the European Parliament.
Figures released today show the Independent MEP had one of the worst rates of voting in plenary sessions among Irish members of the parliament, at 16 per cent.
The Midlands Northwest MEP says his travel has been restricted because his wife hasn't been well and they have a new baby, although his situation has now improved.
He says ultimately his family comes first, but he's been working hard from his base here:
