Updated: 6.38pm
Fine Gael TD Joe McHugh has voted against his party on the new Defective Blocks Scheme.
The Donegal TD is expected to resign the Fine Gael party whip tonight. The government will then lose its majority in the Dáil.
The Defective Blocks Bill was eventually passed by the government with 74 votes to 69.
McHugh said his reasons for voting against the bill is the lack of adequate time given to debating improvements.
Addressing the Dáil, he said he would vote against the government on all votes relating to the scheme this evening because of its shortcomings.
The scheme falls short of what homeowners need, he said, and the restriction on allowing homeowners to downsize was a “big issue” and “unfair”.
“It is falling short for too many people, particularly for constituents in my own county,” Deputy McHugh said.
If the Fine Gael whip is withdrawn from McHugh, this will leave the government with 79 government TDs, one TD short of the required 80 for a majority within the Dáil.
Fianna Fáil Minister Charlie McConalogue has voted with government on the legislation.
A two-hour debate is underway in the Dáil this evening.
Responding to the issues raised by Deputy McHugh, Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien said the legislation must be passed for the scheme to be established. “We can’t have a situation where this is continually delayed,” he said. Minister O’Brien said he would continue to work with deputies on the evolution of the scheme.
Updates to follow.
