Ex-Fine Gael TD Peter Fitzpatrick will back next week’s budget after Taoiseach Leo Varadkar “personally” asked him for his vote during an emergency 45-minute one-to-one private meeting.

Things have changed, apparently unexpectedly. The resignation of Louth TD Peter Fitzpatrick from Fine Gael on Monday does not automatically change events, but it may do so dramatically. 

The Taoiseach says he is disappointed Peter Fitzpatrick will not be seeking a nomination to run as a Fine Gael candidate in the next General Election.