The Government has won tonight's no confidence motion in Minister for Health Mary Harney by 83 votes to 73.
But Fianna Fáil back bencher Ned O'Keeffe has resigned from the parliamentary party, before abstaining on the vote on the Labour motio. The motion criticised the health minister's handling of the problems in the cancer services.
Ned O'Keeffe handed in his resignation just as this debate resumed. Later he said that he could not vote against the Opposition motion on principle but he could support the Government amendment as it did not contain a specific endorsement of Mary Harney's work.
The debate heard Taoiseach Bertie Ahern insist that whoever was to blame for the cancer debacle it was not Mary Harney.
Tánaiste Brian Cowen told TDs that whatever their political differences they had to stand up against vested interests who were blocking health reform.
Green Party leader John Gormley asked what would be served by sacking the health minister.
While Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said it did not matter that she had ruled out walking off the pitch. He said she had been absent from it at crucial times
Labour leader Eamon Gilmore quoted from the speech he said Ned O'Keeffe had been prevented from making saying centres of excellence and experts from abroad were no substitute for proper resources in the health service.
As expected the government prevailed, but without Ned O'Keeffe's support in the motion itself.
Independents, including Finian McGrath, who had suggested his vote was in doubt, towed the line in the end.
'A difficult few days'
Earlier Deputy McGrath said that after widespread consultation over 'a difficult few days' he had decided to remain in the ranks of Government supporters in order to push his health agenda.
He said he had had a number of meetings over the last week with the Government Chief Whip and officials from the Taoiseach's Department. He said he will be meeting Ms Harney next week to discuss the immediate implementation of health reforms and investment.
Earlier the Taoiseach told the Dáil that the O'Doherty report into allegations of cancer misdiagnosis in Portlaoise will have to get legal clearance before it is published.
Both Fine Gael and Labour have claimed that this means the Government will not now honour what they say is a categorical assurance from Bertie Ahern and Mary Harney that the report would be published by the end of this month.
Health issues dominated leaders' questions this morning. Enda Kenny wanted to know what had happened to a report into locum services commissioned by Micheál Martin seven years ago given that all the current problems related to stand in doctors.
Meanwhile tempers frayed at Taoiseach's Questions when Eamon Gilmore questioned Mr Ahern about the communications unit in his department.
The Labour leader claimed officials were totting up media appearances by Government critics like John Crown so complaints could then be made to newsdesks.
Mr Ahern angrily described the remarks it as a reprehensible slur on civil servants and called on Mr Gilmore to withdraw them.
