McHugh votes against Government with a 'heavy heart' on mica bill

He voted against the second stage of the bill before voting with Sinn Féin on a number of amendments

Mica campaigners protested at the gates of Leinster House.

The Government's majority in the Dáil was lost in dramatic scenes on Wednesday when former Education Minister Joe McHugh voted against its mica legislation.

Mr McHugh, whose Donegal constituency has been particularly hit by mica, said that he was making the decision with a "heavy heart" but said that a proposal that would mean those rebuilding their homes at a smaller size than previously would not receive 100% of the cost should be removed from the legislation underpinning the scheme.