FG rebel Naughten ejected from coalition

Denis Naughten has been booted out of Fine Gael after voting against the coalition last night.

The whip was automatically removed from the Roscommon TD this afternoon.

Mr Naughten had sided with the Opposition calling for a reversal of cuts at Roscommon Hospital after he had promised during the election that no downgrading of services would happen.

The Taoiseach Enda Kenny has expressed his disappointment at losing a member of the coalition , but also sent a message to any other members thinking of rebelling too.

"Decisions that are going to be made over the next 15-18 months are going to be challenging," Mr Kenny said.

"(These decisions) will not be popular, but we have to do this to sort out our country's problems.

"That's why the Government is focused on it's programme for the betterment of the country and the betterment of the people."