Updated 11pm
(Youtube/TheJournal)
ANGRY EXCHANGES IN the Dáil led to Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett threatening to resign.
The threat came during leaders questions as Stephen Donnelly TD was speaking on the issue of costs at Irish Water.
The Ceann Comhairle had earlier told TDs that he was becoming frustrated with the time they were taking over their questions, admonishing Fianna Fáil leader Mícheál Martin for overrunning.
Barrett could be heard a number of times saying, “thank you deputy we’re over time”, both during Martin’s question and the Taoiseach’s reply.
“I’d ask deputies to please adhere to the rules set down in this house. We’re six minutes over time on that question. I have to be fair to everyone here both asking and replying ,” he testily told Dail members.
But it was following the contribution of Donnelly that Barrett that made the threat to resign. “Will you please submit your supplementary question, this is not about making statements,” he pleaded.
“I won’t ask you again deputy Donnelly, would you please ask a supplementary question.”
Taoiseach Enda Kenny pointed out to Barrett that the countdown clock installed last year in the Dáil was not switched on during replies and said that this would perhaps be helpful.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say