Galway West TD Eamon O’Cuiv stepped down as deputy leader of Fianna Fail yesterday evening, and as front bench spokesman on Communications, after he openly defied the party’s support for the EU fiscal treaty referendum.

Deputy O’Cuiv says his party’s decision to advocate a YES vote in the referendum is wrong for Ireland – and he believes the Taoiseach should return to Europe and refuse to back the deal unless concessions are made.

Deputy O’Cuiv said the Fianna Fail leader asked him to resign as deputy leader.

The Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin says he had no alternative, and says Eamon O’Cuiv continues to be a member of the parliamentary party.

An emergency meeting of the Fianna Fail Parliamentary Party was held last night, following the evening’s events.

And all eyes are now on this weekend’s Ard Fheis, which gets underway tomorrow evening at the RDS.

Deputy Eamon O’Cuiv has confirmed he is withdrawing from the election for the party’s vice-presidency – sources say he has taken this decision to avoid any divisiveness within the wider party.