Divisive levy sparks bizarre Dáil scenes

One TD was thrown out of the Dáil and another was involved in a bizarre protest on the floor of the chamber over the controversial septic tank legislation yesterday.

Sinn Féin TD Martin Ferris was ordered to leave the chamber after an angry outburst following the refusal of Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore to answer a key question on the legislation.

But it was Independent TD Mattie McGrath who made the more colourful protest, surprising fellow deputies by walking across the floor of the chamber with a collection basket in his hand.