The first moves to replace Enda Kenny as Fine Gael leader were launched last night - hours before the Government won a vote of confidence in itself.
Ministers Simon Coveney and Leo Varadkar called for the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party to begin preparations as early as next week for a general election in the wake of the Garda whistleblower scandal.
Hours later the Government won a motion of confidence in itself by 57 to 52 with Fianna Fáil abstaining.
Government Ministers attacked Sinn Féin for the motion of no confidence.
Sligo/Leitrim Fine Gael TD Tony McLoughlin accused Sinn Fein of playing politics with a sensitive issue for the family of whistleblower Sergeant Maurice McCabe.
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However, Donegal Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty insists the government has to go.
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