The Tánaiste says courageous and those who were able to hold their nerve have stuck with the coalition.

Eamon Gilmore was responding to the setting up of a Reform Alliance by Fine Gael TDs and Senators who were booted out for refusing to back the abortion legislation.

The members are grouping together after being told they will not be allowed to run for Fine Gael in future because they voted against party policies.

The alliance is reported to be holding a think-in tomorrow which will focus on employment and welfare.

The former Labour Party Chairman Colm Keaveney has previously expressed his support for the calls of former Fine Gael TDs for a change in Dáil rules.

Currently Independent TDs are not given speaking rights unless they are members of a technical group but only one group is allowed.

But the Chief Whip Paul Kehoe has previously said govenrment will not agree to change the rules and allow a new group of TDs to question the Taoiseach inside the chamber.

The Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore says those who knew what had to be done for the country are still in government.

While the Transport Minister Leo Varadkar says Fine Gael will remain focused on bigger issues.

The alliance has described itself as a loose alliance looking to represent the people who elected them in the last general election.

Independent Wicklow TD Billy Timmins has denied suggestions that the group is a full political party. He spoke to Lunchtime here on Newstalk.