Meath West TD Peadar Toíbín is to rejoin the Sinn Fein parliamentary party almost following a six month suspension.

Mr Toíbín lost the party whip in the Dáil last July after he voted against the party position on the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill.

Although he had been approached by Fianna Fáil about the possibility or joining them, Mr Toíbín said he always wanted to rejoin Sinn Fein.

His readmittance is expected to be completed in advance of the party's Ard Fheis in Wexford next month.