The Junior Labour Minister Kathleen Lynch says she is sure that the Labour Party Chairman will have the respect of a number of TDs this morning.

Colm Keaveney voted against the government yesterday during a debate on the Social Welfare Bill.

Yesterday Mr. Keaveney told Newstalk it was "with a heavy heart" that he made this decision.

"I just find it very difficult to support measures that attack vulnerable people in society" he said.

"I don't like the language that's used around this budget, it is regressive".

"I think that the budget is a lot opportunity for this government to secure social cohesion and social solidarity between those who can afford to pay, and those who can't afford to pay".

"Unfortunetly on this occasion, there has been a ideological failure on behalf of our coalition partners to identify with that" he added.

'Equally people would consider what he did was wrong'

The Galway-East TD says he has no intention of leaving his role as Chairman of the Labour Party. 

But his chairmanship of the party is now in doubt and Minister Lynch says the matter will be decided by the Labour Party conference.

Minister Lynch also says not everyone can just "walk away" from difficult decisions.

But she admitted to Breakfast here on Newstalk that Deputy Keaveney will enjoy the respect of a number of people for the move.

But the Labour Party Chief Whip says the position of Mr. Keaveney as party chairman is untenable.

Emmett Stagg has told KFM that Deputy Keaveney should resign as Party Chairman.

"He's Chairman of the Party which is a difficulty - I don't think it's tenable for somebody to vote against the Party in the Dail and hold the senior position" he said.

"I think his position is untenable as Chairman, and I think he should resign" he added.