There were heated exchanges in the Dáil yesterday when Labour leader Mr Ruairí Quinn demanded a Government response to the outcome of the abortion referendum.

There was no formal Order of Business when the House met at 10 a.m., and neither the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, nor the Tánaiste, Ms Harney, was present.

The Leas Cheann Comhairle, Dr Rory O'Hanlon, said the order of the day had been decided on Thursday. However, Mr Quinn said he wanted to draw attention to the fact "there is a democratic deficit in this country because we are not having the kind of response we should have from the Taoiseach. He should be in the House today."

When Mr Quinn insisted on raising the abortion referendum, Dr O'Hanlon ruled him out of order. "The Order of Business yesterday determined the order for today." He warned Mr Quinn that if he persisted in speaking, he would ask him to leave the House.

Mr Quinn asked if the Government leaders would come into the House at any stage during the day. The Labour deputy leader, Mr Brendan Howlin, said that Mr Quinn was attempting to raise a point of order. "Will the Chair please let the leader of the Labour party make a simple point on the commencement of business today?"

Mr Quinn said there had been an indication on Thursday that yesterday's order could be varied. "Will the Government Whip (Mr Seamus Brennan) who is in the House, provide for a statement from a senior Government Minister as to what the next step will be following the result of yesterday's referendum?"

When Dr O'Hanlon insisted the order for the day had been decided, Mr Quinn replied: "And we objected to it. Is this House to be ruled by simple majority?" After some further exchanges the House went on to discuss the Competition Bill.