The Dáil has passed the second stage of the Bill abolishing stamp duty for first time buyers, by 79 votes to 66.
The remaining stages are due to be passed tomorrow, and the measure will then go to the Seanad.
The Dáil began a two-week sitting this afternoon in advance of the summer recess, with the abolition of stamp duty for first-time buyers and the creation of three extra junior ministerial jobs the main business for the week.
After the formation of the new Government two weeks ago, TDs got down to regular business today, with the two pieces of legislation due to be passed by tomorrow evening.
But things did not go smoothly as the session was suspended by new Ceann Comhairle John O'Donoghue for a time after a series of altercations between himself and Opposition deputies.
Mr O'Donoghue clashed with the Fine Gael leader, Enda Kenny, back-bencher Michael Ring and with Sinn Féin's Arthur Morgan.
Mr Ring was expelled from the house after claiming that the Ceann Comhairle was making up the rules as he went along.
When the deputies later returned, Labour's Brendan Howlin was elected Leas Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil, a position carrying a Junior Minister's salary and entitlements.
He had been nominated for the position by the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, and was elected with the support of his own party as well as Government TDs.
The Dáil also debated a Fine Gael motion criticising hospital co-location.
Health Minister Mary Harney told the chamber that the National Development Finance Agency has approved the value for money offered by tenders for co-located hospital facilities.
Ms Harney said the NDFA compared the tenders to the cost of providing facilities through the public sector.
The Minister said the cost of tax foregone in providing facilities on six sites would be €455m, compared with a cost of around €1bn to provide a similar number of beds by the public sector.
Fine Gael's health spokesperson, Brian Hayes, called on parties and Independents who had opposed co-location during the election, to 'take a stand' and vote in favour of the Fine Gael motion.
