Minister of State Michael Healy-Rae has resigned from Government, accusing the coalition of losing touch with the people.
He said that he could not, in his heart, vote confidence in the Government this evening.
Protesters outside the Dáil cheered when they heard the news that Mr Healy-Rae had resigned.
This was a bombshell moment in the Dáil as Mr Healy-Rae took most people gathered by surprise, as he quit the Government and his role as Junior Minister for Agriculture.
He spoke with the Chief Whip, Mary Butler, for several moments before taking to his feet sometime later.
As his brother Danny Healy-Rae watched on from the opposite side of the chamber and his son from the public gallery, he said that the sight of grown men crying over the cost of fuel left him with no choice but to leave the Government.
Mr Healy-Rae added that he does not believe the Government listened.
"Because of the fact that I believe this Government have let the people of Ireland down, I will be voting no confidence in the leader of the country, and I will be tendering my resignation as Minister of State from now".
He asked that future governments and this Government "would listen" and "be kind".
"There are farmers that are really suffering so much at present. There are agricultural contractors that are really suffering. There are people that cried at the protest," he said.
Mr Healy Rae said he told the people of Kerry he would go into Government "if the opportunity was right and if it was good for the people of Kerry".
"The people of Kerry are telling me, they are unhappy with this Government. They don't want to see me or any Healy Rae supporting it," he said.
He said he asked his late father what he should do before he went to bed last night.
"The feeling that I have is the Government and the leader, particularly, has not listened. It's a lesson for people in the future," he said.
"I adored being a minister in the Department of Agriculture because I felt I was able to do good. And I was passionate about my job," he said.
Mr Healy Rae said: "I'm sorry and I thank you all very, very much."
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'I did my best'
Speaking on RTÉ's Six One News, Mr Healy-Rae denied that he had been told that if Danny Healy-Rae voted against the Government, that he (Michael) would lose his ministry.
"That did not happen and that's the honest truth, that did not happen," he said.
"This was a decision that I took along with my supporters, along with my family, even late into last night with contractor groups, I was doing clinics late into the night before I came to Dublin all night.
"I worked over the last number of days and into last weekend, meeting with the different sectoral groups from farmers, contractors.
"I did my best along with the senior minister Martin Heydon, my colleagues Timmy Dooley and Noel Grealish and others. We did our level best but I feel it wasn't enough."
Independent Ireland TD Ken O'Flynn commended Mr Healy-Rae.
"I applaud Deputy Healy-Rae, and I say well done to him for having a backbone," he said.
He called on others to join Mr Healy-Rae and vote against this Government.
As he walked out of Leinster House, Mr Healy Rae took a call from the Tánaiste Simon Harris, who had not expected the resignation.
In his immediate reflections after resigning, Mr Healy-Rae said that the Taoiseach's speech today was condescending.
Danny Healy-Rae also voted against the Government in the confidence motion.
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Minister for Agriculture, Food and The Marine Martin Heydon had said that he regrets the decision of Mr Healy-Rae to resign as Minister of State.
"He was a dedicated colleague and I want to recognise his contribution, particularly to the forestry sector, horticulture and farm safety. I want to thank him for his support during his time in the department and I wish him well," he said.
The Government won the confidence motion by 92 votes to 78, but it was a blow to its cohesiveness at a time of economic and political stress.
