DONEGAL Deputy Joe McHugh has resigned the Fine Gael party whip.

The former Fine Gael minister went against his Coalition colleagues last night as they sought to progress legislation that will underpin a €2.7bn redress scheme for homeowners affected  by the mica scandal.

His decision means the number of Government TDs has dropped to 79, leaving them just short of a guaranteed majority ahead of September’s Budget.

The Dail passed the defective block bills containing the mica and pyrite remediation scheme by  74 votes to 69 and will now go to the Seanad.

Posting on his own Facebook page, Deputy McHugh explained why he had taken the decision.

“This evening I voted against  the ‘Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Bill, 2022’.

“While I acknowledge the work that has gone into the proposed compensation package, the Bill still needs improvement in key areas and I have engaged extensively with the government on these. I believe insufficient time has gone into debating the Bill, which could have allowed these issues to be addressed to improve this legislation to meet the needs of the people affected by this devastating issue.

“I can confirm that I am resigning as the whip of Fine Gael and while I do so with a heavy heart, I believe it is the right decision.”