The Ceann Comhairle adjourned the House twice, amid heated exchanges with the Fine Gael leader, who challenged the Cabinet procedures followed in the appointment of Mr Hugh O'Flaherty to the European Investment Bank.

Declaring that particular cases could not be referred to, Mr Seamus Pattison first adjourned the House for 10 minutes, and later for 20 minutes, as Mr John Bruton insisted that Cabinet collective responsibility had been breached in the appointment.

Later, on the Order of Business, the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, said Mr O'Flaherty's appointment would proceed unless Mr Denis Riordan persuaded the Supreme Court to make an order "staying" it, pending an appeal.

"In the absence of any such order by the Supreme Court, the appointment will proceed in the normal way."

At Question Time, Mr Bruton asked Mr Ahern: "Would the Taoiseach not agree that this provision of Cabinet procedural instructions was clearly breached in the case of the appointment of Mr O'Flaherty to the European Investment Bank in that the matter was not mentioned at Government, two weeks' notice was not given, and colleagues were not given the opportunity of putting forward other names?"

Mr Pattison said the appointment did not arise in the questions originally tabled to the Taoiseach. They had related to the Department of the Taoiseach's strategy statement and to the legislative programme.

Mr Bruton said: "I am not questioning the appointment, sir. I am questioning whether Cabinet procedural instructions were abided by.

"The Taoiseach already acknowledged that a key part of his function as Taoiseach is to ensure they are respected. How can he explain how Cabinet procedural instructions were not abided by, and that he did not ensure they were, by the Minister for Finance in making the appointment of Mr Hugh O'Flaherty to a board?"

When Mr Pattison again insisted that the Fine Gael leader was raising a particular case, Mr Bruton said he was referring to the Taoiseach's and the Government's ability to abide by the procedures.

Mr Pattison said Mr Bruton would have to pursue the matter by way of a written question. Mr Bruton replied: "No, sir, I cannot pursue it by any other way."

When Mr Bruton continued to insist on making his point, Mr Pattison adjourned the House for 10 minutes.

When it resumed, Mr Bruton again raised the matter, declaring that the Dail existed to protect the Constitution and Cabinet decisions implemented by it. "That is a matter for the Taoiseach, and I am asking him about it."

Mr Pattison adjourned the House for a further 20 minutes. When it resumed, Mr Bruton indicated he would raise the matter with the Committee on Procedure and Privileges.