The Dáil was adjourned twice amid uproar as Michael Ring (FG, Mayo) refused an order by Ceann Comhairle John O'Donoghue to leave the chamber.
This followed a day of heated exchanges between Opposition deputies and the Ceann Comhairle in his first day presiding over routine business since the election of the new Government.
Mr O'Donoghue had been challenged by Fine Gael to explain why party leader Enda Kenny could not propose Padraic McCormack (FG, Galway West) for the post of Leas-Cheann Comhairle. The Taoiseach had proposed Brendan Howlin (Labour, Wexford) for the post.
Mr O'Donoghue insisted that it could not be done under standing orders. As the noisy exchanges continued and Fine Gael demanded further elaboration, Mr Ring accused Mr O'Donoghue of "making it up" as he went along.
When Mr Ring refused to withdraw the remark, he was "named" by Mr O'Donoghue, a procedure which required him to leave the chamber. As Mr Ring persisted in refusing to do so, Mr O'Donoghue adjourned proceedings twice for 10 minutes. After the second adjournment, Mr O'Donoghue said he had "named" Mr Ring because no deputy could accuse the chair of unfairness.
Mr Ring then agreed to go.
"You did not quote to me the standing order you used in relation to the position of Leas-Cheann Comhairle," Mr Ring said. "I am going to leave the House now under protest on the basis that if you continue the way you are continuing, there will be a vote of no confidence in you quicker than you know."
Mr O'Donoghue said he was not being derogatory towards Mr McCormack. "When Deputy Kenny first made the proposal, I did not know the name of the deputy. I merely pointed out then, and I point out now, that under the rules of the House it simply was not possible for me to accept, without notice from Deputy Kenny, a name emanating from him by way of an amendment to Deputy Howlin's name."
Mr O'Donoghue and Mr Kenny had clashed earlier. Amid jeers from the Opposition benches, Mr O'Donoghue reminded the Dáil of the time requirements governing the Fine Gael leader's questions to the Taoiseach.
When Mr Kenny suggested that the Ceann Comhairle be "quiet", Mr O'Donoghue said: "You will not say quiet to me, sir." He reminded Mr Kenny that he should be seated when the Ceann Comhairle was standing.
Amid ongoing uproar, Mr O'Donoghue said: "I will remind the deputy, and all other deputies, in accordance with the dignity of this House, that they may not, under any circumstances, involve the chair in public controversy in the floor of the House. This is a long-standing precedent."
Mr O'Donoghue said he was not making up the rules as he went along. "These are the rules of the House, long-established. I am asking Deputy Kenny to obey the rules of the House." Every deputy, he said, irrespective of where they came from, would be treated fairly by the chair.
Mr Kenny said the perception in Kerry was Mr O'Donoghue had no power there and so he wanted to use his power in the Dáil. Mr O'Donoghue said: "You are not entitled to drag the chair on to the House in matters of public controversy."
When Mr Kenny tried to raise remarks which Mr O'Donoghue had made as a minister, the Ceann Comhairle said: "You are not entitled to raise what happened previously either." He later reminded the Taoiseach of the time limit in his reply to Mr Kenny's question.
Mr O'Donoghue also clashed with Arthur Morgan (SF, Louth) and warned him that he would have to ask him leave the House if he did not sit down while the Ceann Comhairle was standing.
