A Labour spokesman says there is no prospect of one of the party's ministers voting against the Government tonight.

That is despite junior minister Aodhan Ó Ríordáin giving a blistering speech in favour of a Sinn Féin call for Travellers to be recognised as an ethnic group.

The Government is rejecting the motion tonight in what the minister believes is a "populist" move.

He said Ireland cannot celebrate the centenary of 1916 unless it recognises all its ethnic groups, including Travellers.

Mr Ó Ríordáin told the Dáil: "I believe it (recognising Travellers as an ethnic group) would be a proud day for this republic, I believe genuinely it would be something we collectively we could celebrate and have new dispensation and a new road to travel together in what we should call a real republic."