I've dad enough..

Govt wins confidence vote on fuel crisis despite bombshell. | Dail legend Jackie 'advised his junior minister son to quit. | Michael's 'grave reservations about Taoiseach Micheal Martin.

- CIARA O'LOUGHLIN

JUNIOR Minister Michael Healy-Rae said he spoke to his late father Jackie for advice before dramatically quitting the Government.

The Kerry TD voted against the coalition in a confidence vote over the fuel blockade crisis with the Dail's richest TD giving a fisted salute to cost-of-living protesters outside Leinster House afterwards.

Furious over what he called the coalition's failure to listen to protesters who shut down critical infrastructure - including Ireland's only oil refinery - the self-proclaimed "man of the people" decided he'd had enough.

With TDs having returned to the Dail following the Easter break, the Government called a counter-motion after Sinn Fein originally tabled a motion of no confidence over its handling of the fuel crisis.

The Government, which announced a €505million fuel support package on Sunday, won by 92 votes to 78, with all opposition parties voting against.

But the victory was overshadowed by the shock defection of Mr Healy-Rae and his brother Danny, a fellow Kerry TD.

A spokesperson for Taoiseach Micheal Martin confirmed that he had received no prior warning of the announcement, describing the move as "disappointing".

Mr Healy-Rae revealed he went to Mr Martin's office immediately after his Dail bombshell, but they could not speak as the Taoiseach was on a phone call with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.