A number of government rebels have begun plans to try and win back speaking rights in the Dáil.
A group of former Fine Gael TDs and Senators has met to begin planning an attempt to change the Dáil's rules so that they can contribute to debates.
Following last month's votes on the abortion legislation there are now six Fine Gael TDs and two senators outside the parliamentary party.
Those members now don't have any speaking rights - so they can't be guaranteed the chance to take part in debates on new bills.
The Dail's rules currently only allow one so-called 'technical' group of independent TDs to club together for speaking rights.
But the efforts could extend beyond Fine Gael - former Labour TD Colm Keaveney has also met with at least one of the FG TDs to discuss ways in which former Labour TDs may become involved.
Their efforts will face stiff resistance. The chief whip Paul Kehoe says the government won't agree to change the Dáil rules and allow a new group of TDs to question the Taoiseach inside the chamber.
Therefore the rebels need the help of an existing opposition group just to force a vote on the new rules.
But another factor which could influence the process is October's referendum on abolishing the Seanad - where the government's promises for Dáil reform will come under scrutiny.
The rebel TDs say the government can't try to silence some TDs at the same time that it's promising to reform the Dáil in exchange for the abolition of the Seanad.
Further developments in the campaign are likely when the Dáil returns from its summer recess in three weeks' time.
