The Dáil has begun debating a motion of confidence in the Government.
Enda Kenny and his cabinet have tabled the motion after Sinn Féin tabled a motion calling on the government to resign.
There was been angry scenes in the Dáil with TDs complaining that debate on the new water charges system will be deferred until after midnight.
However, the three-hour debate has begun with the Taoiseach arguing that Ireland would be worse off under any other government.
“If we had followed the Sinn Féin policy in 2011 of telling the Troika to go home with their money or telling Europe to bugger off, Ireland would be trapped into a vicious circle of forced bailouts and loss of national sovereignty,” said the Taoiseach.
You can watch the debate here: