30/05/2013 - 08:05:41
The Justice Minister Alan Shatter has survived a motion of confidence in the Dáil winning 88-45 last night.
However, Opposition TDs have vowed to continue to question him over the checkpoint controversy and the penalty point issue.
Ministers and Government backbenchers praised Mr Shatter's record and rounded on Fianna Fáil for what they called a "pointless motion".
Finance Minister Michael Noonan said it proves the main opposition party have not changed.
He said: "A venial sin has been turned into a hanging offence, the mock outrage of Fianna Fáil makes then look ridiculous.
"I thought that Fianna Fáil were embarked on a new departure, I thought when the previous Cabinet had run away or been sacked by the electorate that the new young men would be different. Policy driven, prepared to play the ball and not the man.
"No more Punch and Judy shows, we were told, the bright young men have reverted to type, bushwackers and character assassins."