Speaking about the recent free vote for independents on Mick Wallace's abortion bill, Fine Gael TD Jim Daly said Shane Ross is being "opportunistic" and his "antics" have the potential to damage the authority of the government.

He also said he thinks it will be important for Fine Gael to have a new leader after the next budget “in time and well ahead of the next general election”.

Mr Daly told RTÉ's Morning Ireland that he feels the call for a free vote on Mick Wallace's private member's bill is a "one-off".

But he said that he thought that Shane Ross was being opportunistic. Mr Daly said it his belief that if the Attorney General gives advice to the Cabinet that a bill is unconstitutional “well then you can’t ignore the other side of the constitution which says that the cabinet should act as a collective authority, I think it has the potential to damage the authority and undermine the authority of the government and by extension to Taoiseach and I don’t want to see that happen.”

He also said he wasn't "getting any jitters" at the results of today's Irish Times poll that showed an increase in support for Fianna Fáil and a fall in support for Fine Gael.

“It is one singular poll that shows Fianna Fáil ahead, there was a poll at the weekend that showed Fine Gael comfortably ahead of Fianna Fáil.

"Changing the leadership isn't always the panacea that people think it is. The Labour party is an example of this.

"Enda Kenny has made it clear to the parliamentary party and to the public that he won't lead us into the next election, that he is walking off the stage, I'm happy to let the man have his time for the moment to do that.

“I think past the budget, Fianna Fáil have signed up to three budgets, it would be important that we have a new leader in time and well ahead of the next election.

“Post this budget I would hope and expect that Enda Kenny would be announcing to the party what his attentions are.”

Mr Daly said he was surprised at the appointment of James Reilly as deputy leader.

“It was an unusual choice. I think in the new politics that we’re living in now, I think the Taoiseach lost an opportunity to allow a vote of the parliamentary party to appoint a deputy leader.

“It is unusual in the circumstances since he won’t be leading us into the next election. James Reilly is a senator so it’s just unusual.

“I don’t have any issue with Enda Kenny’s stewardship of the government, I think his leadership of the last government was particularly impressive, while the election didn’t reward the Fine Gael party, there was some very notable achievements.

“My issue, was peculiarly and singularly, the issue with Shane Ross, and particularly the constitution, that the cabinet is not acting as a collective. I’m not convinced of Shane Ross’ sincerity in that issue.

“I believe from talking with the Taoiseach that it is a one off and it won’t be happening again and if that is the case I’m happy to move on.

“There needs to be a warning shot and I’ve no doubt the Taoiseach gave Shane Ross a good warning at the last cabinet meeting.

“There is one common trend in both polls, the Independents have gone down in popularity and Shane Ross’ antics are not helping that.”