The former Government Minister Jim McDaid is completely withdrawing his support from the Government.

The Donegal TD had already lost the party whip after abstaining from a vote on the cervical cancer vaccination programme.

In a statement today, Deputy McDaid he now feels superfluous to the requirements of the party and is compelled to completely withdraw his support.

Political correspondent with the Sunday Business Post Pat Leahy told Lunchtime with Eamon Keane here on Newstalk that the loss of his vote will have an obvious effect on the government’s majority.

“It takes another chip away from that – but I don’t think that, you know I mean there’s some obviously very significant, very politically difficult decisions will be made by the cabinet this week” he said.

“I don’t think they’re sitting around the cabinet table saying ‘oh we can’t do that because Jimmy McDaid won’t like it” he added.