Dáil shouting match erupts over cuts to equality body

A BITTER shouting match over funding cuts to the Equality Authority yesterday forced a 10-minute suspension of Dáil business.

Leas Cheann Comhairle Brendan Howlin intervened when Justice Minister Dermot Ahern and Pat Rabbitte of the Labour party refused to stop shouting across the chamber. Mr Ahern said it was “disgraceful” for Mr Rabbitte to use Dáil privilege to question the conduct of the secretary general of the Department of Justice, Seán Aylward.

Mr Ahern said Mr Rabbitte was trying to “denigrate the name of a good public servant”.