There is growing speculation we could be on the verge of a General Election.

Fine Gael ministers are standing by the Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald, following no confidence motions tabled by Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil.

The former Justice Minister has been under mounting pressure to explain her handling of an email detailing a Garda strategy to smear the whistleblower Sergeant Maurice McCabe.

The government would collapse in a situation where Fianna Fáil voted no confidence in the Tanaiste.

Health Minister Simon Harris says the current crisis is unecessary: