Sinn Féin hits back at comments after Dáil debate

Sinn Féin is hitting back at comments made by the Progressive Democrats during last night's Dáil debate on neutrality.

A private members motion aimed at enshrining neutrality in the Constitution was defeated by 100 votes to 35.

PD deputy Liz O'Donnell insisted that the motion was a "masterpiece of irony" and accused Sinn Féin of having "some nerve" lecturing others about neutrality and on peace.

However, party leader in the Dáil, Caoimhin O'Caoláin, insists that the comments were a distraction from the real debate.