The Taoiseach has said Ireland would be worse off any other government, and if Sinn Féin policy of 2011 had been adhered to then Ireland would now be "trapped into a vicious circle of forced bailouts and loss of national sovereignty."

The Dáil has begun debating a motion of confidence in the government. Enda Kenny and his cabinet have tabled the motion, after Sinn Féin tabled a motion calling on the government to resign.

"If we follow the Sinn Féin policy in 2011 of telling the Troika to go home with their money or telling Europe to bugger off, Ireland would be trapped into a vicious circle of forced bailouts and loss of national sovereignty," Mr Kenny said.

“The result of our strategy was to deliver our country from the bailout almost to the day a year ago, without the need for a second bailout or other conditional arrangements,” he added.

There have been angry scenes in the Dail, with TDs complaining that debate on the new water charges system will be deferred until after midnight.

You can watch the live scenes from the Dáil today here