The rebel Labour TD Colm Keaveney has been removed from a number of Oireachtas Committees by the government.

Mr. Keaveney lost the whip after voting against part of the Social Welfare Bill.

He has lost his positions on the Public Accounts, European Union Affairs and Transport Committees.

Sinn Féin is also punishing the Meath TD Peadar Tóibín for not towing the party line on abortion.

They are removing him from his position as chair of the Oversight and Petitions Committee.

Opposition attack 'Stalinist' tactics

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin says the punishment by the government of a dissident is "Stalinist".

"I think this is wrong, fundamentally" he said.

"And it really illustrates that there is no intention on the government's side to reform anything to do with this House, or to change political behaviour or political actions".

"I want to register my opposition to what is a Stalinist approach to the Parliament here - (to) just remove anybody who articulates any dissent" he added.

Speaking in November, Deputy Keaveney attacked - what he called - a 'pawn shop' economy.