The Government suffered its first defeat in the current Dáil term when a Labour party motion seeking to bolster workers' rights was passed with the support of Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin and some smaller groups.
The Labour measure was prompted by the treatment of the workers in Clerys department store, let go after years of service when the business was taken over by a property group.
It called for increases in the minimum wage and more protection for the low paid and safeguards for workers whose business goes into receivership.
The writing was on the wall when a Government amendment was defeated by the combined strength of Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin Labour and smaller groups - the Dáil dividing 78 to 58 on the issue.
When the vote on the Labour motion itself was taken, Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl accepted that it was carried without a formal division being called.
The result highlights the reliance of the Fine Gael minority government on Fianna Fáil to carry the day and is a boost for the beleaguered Labour party.
It is also unlikely to be the last such private members’ motion that will see Enda Kenny’s Government on the losing side.
Meanwhile, the Labour Party has decided to support Fianna Fáil TD Pat the Cope Gallagher for Leas Ceann Comhairle.
Fine Gael's Bernard Durkan, Independent TD Mattie McGrath and Sinn Fein's Sean Crowe are also contesting the position.
