Sign up to The Irish Times Archive (1859 - 2008)My Account »

Willie O’Dea said this evening he took the decision to resign as minister for defence after the Taoiseach informed him the Green Party would no longer support the Government if he remained in office.

Speaking to the media for first time since his resignation, Mr O’Dea insisted he had acted in the interests of the country and to protect the stability of the Government.