The minority Fianna Fáil Government has survived a crucial Dáil vote, after the Second Stage of the Finance Bill was passed in the House.
All outstanding amendments in the Second Stage of the Finance Bill have also been passed.
Independent TDs Michael Lowry and Jackie Healy-Rae supported the Bill after they said they secured a number of concessions from the Minister for Finance on its contents.
It meant the Government had a majority of two in the vote on the Dáil's electronic voting system.
A defeat on the Finance Bill vote would have meant the end of the Government and a General Election.
Only four TDs were not present for the vote. Fine Gael gave pairs to two Government TDs who are ill, Dermot Ahern and Noel Treacy.
Fine Gael, Labour and Sinn Féin voted against the Government, as did four Independents - Noel Grealish, Maureen O'Sullivan, Finian McGrath and Mattie McGrath.
Fianna Fáil, the Green Party, and Independents Mary Harney, Joe Behan, Michael Lowry and Jackie Healy-Rae backed the measure.
When it came to a subsequent formal division, Mr McGrath abstained from the 'walk through,' leaving the Government's victory margin at three.
Mr McGrath has said he has concerns about measures in the proposed legislation dealing with Section 23 property relief, the bankers' bonus and self-employed having to pay more tax.
Dáil adjourns until tomorrow
The Dáil debate on the Finance Bill has adjourned for the night after the Bill passed the committee stage.
The report and final stage of the Bill will be taken tomorrow morning.
A meeting between the political parties will take place tomorrow morning before 10.30am to draw up the schedule for the remaining stage.
It looks likely that the members of the House will debate the legislation until about 5pm tomorrow evening.
The bill will then go the Seanad, which will consider the measures on Friday and Saturday.
Negotiations
Just before noon, Mr Lowry announced that he had reached agreement with the Government on a number of issues, and that he and Mr Healy-Rae would support the Bill, making its passage certain.
Mr Lowry told RTÉ News that during a meeting with the Taoiseach and the Finance Minister, the Government agreed to concede to a number of his requests.
Mr Lowry said that the Government agreed not to bring forward the pay and file deadline of 30 September.
