Lucinda Creighton's ruling out setting up a new party after quitting the Government when she voted against abortion legislation.
She formally resigned as European Affairs Minister last night - and the Taoiseach acted immediately, appointing Dublin Central TD Paschal Donohoe as her replacement.
Meanwhile, the abortion legislation passed its final stage in the Dáil this morning and will now go to the Seanad next week.
At 8.57pm Lucinda Creighton chose to vote against the government and was immediately expelled from the Fine Gael Parliamentary party.
The Taoiseach demanded she resign her post of Minister for European Affairs, which she duly did.
And shortly after 1am Enda Kenny held an incorporeal cabinet meeting, with some ministers on the phone, to ratify the appointment of Paschal Donohoe as the new junior minister.
While booted out of the Parliamentary Party, Lucinda Creighton plans to stay close to Fine Gael:
"There is no conflict, y'know I will be campaigning and working with all of our candidates for the local elections and European elections next year. We have to select a new candidate for Dublin to replace Gay Mitchell, whoever that is, I'll be working with them - I'm a constructive team player."
Lucinda Creighton & Taoiseach Enda Kenny have parted ways - for now
Parliamentary Party Chair Charlie Flanagan says her expulsion doesn't have to be permanent:
"The rules of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party also state that it's open at any time in the future for someone to reapply."
Meanwhile, The Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill passed all stages in the Dáil at 12.25am by 127 votes to 31 and moves to the Seanad next week for another lengthy debate.
Lucinda Creighton spoke to our video journalist & Political Correspondent Paraic Gallagher after her vote against government.
Reaction
Junior minister Fergus O'Dowd TD gave his reaction to the news that Lucinda Creighton was gone:
Protestors
Meanwhile, demonstrations continued outside Leinster House after the final vote.
People from both the pro-life and the pro-choice campaigns said they would continue to try and get their message out:
