Shortall attacks ‘bullying’ culture

The Dáil’s culture of “threats and bullying” has been condemned by an ex-minister, as calls to slash controversial payments to political parties by half were ignored by the Government.

Former junior health minister Roisín Shortall hit out at the way whips exercised their power in the chamber, as she called for a radical reform of the Oireachtas.

Ms Shortall, who resigned from the Government in 2012 in protest at the way the health department was being run, said a “threatening and bullying” atmosphere had been allowed to take hold in the Dáil.