Two Green Party TDs have been suspended from the party for six months after they voted in favour of a Sinn Fein motion on the new National Maternity Hospital.
A spokesman for the Green Party said in a statement late on Wednesday night that the two TDs, Neasa Hourigan and Patrick Costello will have an opportunity to apply for readmission at the end of this six month period.
He said: "The Green Party parliamentary party tonight agreed to a proposal to remove the party whip and suspend Deputy Patrick Costello and Deputy Neasa Hourigan from the parliamentary party for six months.
"The decision was made after they failed to vote with the government on a private members motion.
"There was consensus on the decision.
"The parliamentary party regrets having to take this step but believes our effectiveness in government relies on unity in every vote.
"Both deputies will have an opportunity to apply for readmission at the end of this six month period."
The Dáil passed a non-binding Sinn Féin motion calling on the Government to secure full public ownership of the National Maternity Hospital site.
Fifty-six TDs voted in favour, including Green TDs Neasa Hourigan and Patrick Costello.
And 10 TDs opposed, and 69 Government TDs abstained.
Despite the Cabinet approving the plan for the new National Maternity Hospital to be built at the site of St Vincent’s Hospital, controversy continued over the hospital not being built on State land.
That prompted Sinn Fein to table a motion calling for a public hospital to be built on public land.
The Government has 82 TDs and losing Ms Hourigan and Mr Costello will reduce this to 80, the number needed for a bare majority.
While the combined opposition would then stand at 79 TDs.
However, many Independent TDs often vote with the Government which will bolster their support.
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