Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has declared that “nasty” slurs targetting women online by a senior Fine Gael figure are “not acceptable” and debate should be conducted in a responsible way.

TD Kate O’Connell has made a formal complaint to party bosses about a non-elected senior figure in Fine Gael engaging in online abuse.

Fine Gael concerns that the abortion referendum could ultimately tear the Government apart have been underlined after a party TD accused one of her colleagues of “lies” and producing “fake” facts on the issue.