The Chairman of Fianna Fáil has said he expects Fianna Fáil TD Ned O'Keefe to back Minister for Health Mary Harney against a motion of no confidence in her handling of the health service.
The motion has been tabled in the Dáil by the Labour Party.
Mr O'Keefe has called on Ms Harney to resign, but FF Chairman Seamus Kirk says he expects him to toe the party line when the issue comes up for a vote.
Mr Kirk has warned that any Fianna Fáil TDs who fail to vote with the Government will be expelled from the party.