Christmas election averted as Government narrowly survives Dáil vote

A Christmas general election has been averated after the Government scraped through a Dáil vote of no confidence in Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy last night.

The Fine-Gael minority Government narrowly won the vote with the support of a handful of Independent TDs.

Opposition TDs were scathing in their criticism of Fine Gael’s record on tackling the housing crisisa, with homeless figures topping the 10,500 mark for the first time.

However, a Christmas election has been averted and the minority Government will limp on after the motion was defeated by 56 votes to 53. Some 35 TDs abstained.

Controversial independent TDs Michael Lowry and Noel Grealish backed the minister. Former minister Denis Naughten also supported the Government in last night’s vote.