THE Fine Gael senator, Mr Shane Ross, last night voted against the Government on the controversial Universities Bill.
Two other university members, Mr David Norris and Mr Joe Lee, joined Mr Ross in the opposition lobby, while Mr Fergal Quinn, Dr Mary Henry and Mr Joe O'Toole, supported the Government.
The Bill passed the second stage by 27 votes to 23.
Following the vote, Mr Ross said he had broken the party whip because the Bill was an intrusion on the independence of the universities. He realised he would lose the party whip as a result but did not know whether efforts would be made to oust him from Fine Gael.