An attempt by Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny to raise last Saturday's Limerick pub incident involving Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea was ruled out of order.
Mr Kenny said that he had seen, in a newspaper report, the "fighting face" of Mr O'Dea,who was allegedly in the company of Tánaiste Brian Cowen for a time on Saturday.
Mr Cowen was taking the Order of Business yesterday, when Mr Kenny raised the issue.
Ceann Comhairle John O'Donoghue said: "What happened last Saturday night, Sunday night or last night, is of no concern to this House."
Government Chief Whip Tom Kitt remarked: "This is good, old-fashioned Fine Gael." Mr Kenny said that, as the Ceann Comhairle knew, "bare-knuckle fighting is outlawed". He insisted that Mr O'Dea, under the code of ethics relating to Ministers, should come into the House to answer the allegations made against him.
Minister for Transport and the Marine Noel Dempsey remarked: "Does Fine Gael want us to chase up every rumour?" Bernard Durkan (FG, Kildare North) observed: "Willie the toreador."
The Ceann Comhairle said that the matter was completely out of order. "Deputy Kenny knows very well that he cannot raise that matter," he added.
Mr Kenny replied: "Very serious allegations have been made about the Minister for Defence, and other allegations have been made about a minister snorting cocaine.
"I do not know if these are true, but there is a code of ethics for ministers, in accordance with which I expect the Minister, Deputy O'Dea, to explain to the House that the allegations are rubbish." Addressing Mr Kenny, Johnny Brady (FF, Meath West) said: "You could do with a dose of blackjack." Mr O'Donoghue said that Mr Kenny, as leader of the Opposition, should provide example by obeying the House's standing orders.
Michael D Higgins (Labour, Galway West) said: "Willie O'Dea's fight for Irish freedom." Mr Cowen said that raising the issue was part of the new image Fine Gael was promoting. "This is the new conduct of its leader," he added.
