A local Independent TD says he doesn't believe the government will have any real problems as a result of Joe McHugh's decision to vote against it.
Roscommon Galway Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice says though that the tight numbers may allow for some leverage with the government on issues.
He says that with the smaller numbers, there will be more need for the government to request pairings with Independent members when some Ministers are out of the country.
The Independent TD says there are a number of contentious issues due before the Dail in the coming months, and the low government numbers could give some room for manoeuvre.
'We have within two to three months the new planning bill that'll be coming in and we have to make sure that we protect rural housing.
If they're not inclined to play ball, or if they're not inclined to do things the way that people want them.
It's not that TD's are here like vultures trying to change every bit of legislation .
What we will be doing is using whatever muscle is there, to flex it on the issues and basically you can talk to Ministers behind the scenes or whatever to try and resolve these issues , that it doesn't become a big clatch.'
