Dáil suspended after repeated heckling and testy exchanges

FOR THE second time in less than a week the Dáil was suspended yesterday after repeated heckling and testy exchanges.

Ceann Comhairle John O’Donoghue had repeatedly warned deputies not to interrupt as Taoiseach Brian Cowen answered questions about the programme for government.

Mr Cowen told the House there would be a review of the programme for government over the summer and he would have a revised programme when the Dáil resumes in the autumn.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said the 2009 schools building programme had been reduced by €30 million. He called for a guarantee that the school building programme would not be axed.

The Taoiseach said that more than 110 major school projects “are being conducted”. He insisted that the summer works scheme was also under way, at which point Mr Kenny intervened to say he was talking about school projects not the summer works.

But Mr Cowen retorted that “if you want to answer the questions I will sit down and listen to the questions and answers”. There were further exchanges and Fine Gael whip Paul Kehoe said the Government got rid of the summer works scheme. A clearly irritated Taoiseach asked if it was Deputy Kehoe or Kenny asking questions. “Can you organise yourselves over there and create some order. You’re supposed to be the whip,” he said to Mr Kehoe, who retorted: “the Taoiseach got out of the wrong side of the bed this morning”.

The Ceann Comhairle repeatedly insisted that the Taoiseach be allowed to answer without interruption. When Mr Cowen said a suggestion had been made that no school building was taking place, Mr Kenny said that was “an outrageous remark”. Bernard Allen (FG, Cork North-Central ) said that “a little humility from the Taoiseach would be welcome” and he claimed “the Taoiseach is a waffler”.

Mr Cowen said that if the Opposition was not prepared to listen “I won’t answer the questions”. The Ceann Comhairle repeatedly called for order and when the interventions continued, he suspended the House for 10 minutes. Last week the Dáil was suspended during a heated row about the IMF report on Ireland’s economy.