The government is coming to terms with its first defeat of the new Dáil term.

It lost 78 to 58 last night over a motion on workersÂ’ rights.

The delicate Dáil arithmetic means the government is reliant on Fianna Fáil help to stop it being defeated.

But last night Fianna Fáil sided with the other opposition parties in a bellwether motion on workersÂ’ rights.

Labour had tabled a motion calling for public bodies to pay the living wage, giving freelance workers collective bargaining rights, and a clampdown on zero-hours contracts.

A more modest government counter-motion - honouring the Lansdowne Road agreement and seeking a Public Service Pay Commission - was voted down by 78 votes to 58. LabourÂ’s motion was then passed through.

ItÂ’s the first time in this Dáil that the government has called a vote but been defeated in a show of strength.

Given the numbers, itÂ’s a feeling the new government will have to get used to.