The Communications Minister says Patrick Nulty had no alternative but to resign.

The 31-year-old stepped down as an Independent TD for Dublin West at the weekend - after sending inappropriate messages on Facebook.

One of the messages was send to a 17-year-old girl.

His decision paves the way for a second by-election in the constituency - since the last general election.

Pat Rabbitte says that while its a sad affair - he believes Patrick Nulty took the right decision in resigning: