Fine Gael TD Peter Mathews has resigned from the party. The Deputy confirmed this afternoon that he had hand-delivered a letter of resignation to party leader Enda Kenny this morning.

He said the stance of the party leadership on certain issues had left him with no option other than to resign.

Deputy Mathews had been kicked out of the Fine Gael parliamentary party after voting against the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill.

He is the first member of the new Reform Alliance to formally resign from Fine Gael.

In the short letter of resignation, Deputy Mathews said "Unfortunately I have been placed in a position by the Leadership of the Party that has led me to this decision".

He says he looks forward to serving the remainder of the 31st Dáil as an Independent TD, "recognising mutual advantages and opportunities for contributing to and sharing ideas etc. within a flexible and collegial Reform Alliance of members of both Houses of the Oireachtas".