Rebel TDs get the boot on red letter day in Dáil

IT’S not often that the exchanges in the Dáil resembles a dressing room in Saipan or in Old Trafford. But yesterday the deputies from Cork showed why they come from a place called the Rebel County.

The Dáil was reduced to pandemonium, chaos and high farce. And that was during the quieter moments of a deeply acrimonious day that saw Leaders Questions (which should last only 17 minutes) drag on for an hour and a half. And it also saw three Cork TDs exiting the Chamber in quick succession.

The issue at heart was serious, gravely serious. The extraordinary letter from Cork-based consultant oncologist Seamus O’Reilly - printed in the Irish Examiner on Monday - was chosen by all three opposition leaders as their major question to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.