The Government had a comfortable majority in two Dáil votes last night at the end of a debate on the Labour Party motion of no-confidence in Minister for Health Mary Harney.
Government backbencher Ned O'Keeffe (FF, Cork East) resigned from the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party in advance of voting for the Government amendment which was won by 84 votes to 73.
He abstained in the motion of no-confidence itself, which the Government won by 83 votes to 73.
Independent TD Tony Gregory supported Fine Gael, Labour and Sinn Féin in opposing the Government, while Independents Jackie Healy-Rae, Finian McGrath, Beverley Flynn and Michael Lowry voted with the Government parties.
The Labour Party motion condemned the failure of the Department of Health and the HSE to ensure the provision of acceptable cancer care.
The Government amendment acknowledged Ms Harney's leadership and supported her commitment to ensuring equitable access to high-quality cancer care.