YESTERDAY saw some of the most bitter exchanges in the life of the current House as the parties prepare for the general election.
Fianna Fail senators homed in on what they claimed were serious discrepancies given under oath by the Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, to the beef tribunal and the payments to politicians inquiry.
Tempers became frayed during the crossfloor exchanges and, following criticism by Mr Michael O'Kennedy (FF) of the selection of speakers by the Cathaoirleach, Mr Liam Cosgrave, the Government leader, Mr Maurice Manning, decided to repay like with like.
In a strong defence of Mr Cosgrave, he hit out at a critic of the Government and a party colleague of Mr O'Kennedy, claiming that the Fianna Fail man had been responsible for a judge discharging himself in a court case. The accusation was vehemently denied by Mr Dick Roche (FF).
The routine Order of Business descended into anything but order when Mr Roche called for a debate on how the present tribunal was being "sidelined". Mr Cosgrave intervened to say that the Oireachtas had no input into the proceedings in Dublin Castle.
Mr Roche said there was a very serious level of public disquiet over evidence given by Mr Bruton. There had been serious allegations that the Taoiseach had given conflicting testimony to separate tribunals.
"You can sweep it under the carpet as much as you want but the journalists who actually wrote the stories last Sunday ... did us a great service.
Joining in the exchanges, Mr O'Kennedy criticised the Chair, complaining that Mr Cosgrave had ignored for some time his signalled intention to speak.
Mr Cosgrave said many members had shown a wish to make points. He was merely exercising his discretion on the order in which people were called.
When Mr O'Kennedy said: "I would expect something better from someone who has a distinguished family record in public life", Mr Joe O'Toole (Ind) said, as a non party aligned representative, he found Mr O'Kennedy's reference to Mr Cosgrave's family unacceptable.
Government members shouted at Mr O'Kennedy to "withdraw".
Mr O'Kennedy said it was essential that the Taoiseach explain himself in the House, rather than making statements in newspapers or writing letters to them. Mr Bruton was treating the tribunal and the Oireachtas with contempt.
Mr O'Kennedy then said he had been trying to raise this matter for some weeks. This probably explained why Mr Cosgrave was reluctant to call him to speak.
Mr Manning then demanded that the former Fianna Fail minister withdraw his attack on the integrity and the honour of the occupant of the Chair.
Mr Cosgrave refused to join in the fray, saying that he had sought to ensure that everyone got a fair hearing.
Mr O'Kennedy asked would the leader ensure that Mr Bruton appeared before the Seanad to say whatever he had to say, rather than engaging in correspondence and trying to justify the unjustifiable?
A Government member replied that if Mr O'Kennedy, while serving as a Minister, had answered a simple Dail question, taxpayers would not have had to foot a £42 million bill for the beef tribunal.