Motion of no confidence on the cards for Ceann Comhairle

The opposition is considering a motion of no confidence in Ceann Comhairle Sean Barrett after a row escalated over his decision to ban a debate on the terms of an inquiry into garda malpractice.

Both Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin members yesterday said they had no confidence in Mr Barrett.

It comes after the chairman of the Dáil gave a heated interview in which he defended pulling a Dáil debate after getting a legal warning from Alan Shatter, the former justice minister.