Simon Harris described his former colleague in Government Michael Healy-Rae as a ‘very good’ minister.

Michael Healy-Rae has blamed his brother for events which led to his resignation as a minister of state in the wake of the fuel protests.

Mr Healy-Rae and his brother Michael voted against the Government in a confidence motion last week.

Michael Healy-Rae and his brother Danny Healy-Rae voted against the Government in a confidence motion last Tuesday.

A junior minister in the Irish Government has resigned over its handling of the fuel protests.