Rabbitte says Ceann Comhairle let Lenihan 'sneak' apology

Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte has criticised the Ceann Comhairle for allowing Junior Minister Conor Lenihan to make a hastily arranged Dáil apology for his xenophobic slur yesterday.

Deputy Rabbitte claimed Rory O'Hanlon had allowed Mr Lenihan to "sneak" back into the Dáil and apologise after he was caught on microphone making a remark about Turkish Gama Construction workers.

During a debate on the Aer Lingus privatisation, the junior minister told Socialist Party TD Joe Higgins he should "stick with the kebabs", a reference to his campaign on behalf of the Gama employees.

In the Dáil today, Deputy Rabbitte told the Ceann Comhairle: "You allowed a member of your former party to sneak in here yesterday without notice [to apologise]," but Dr O'Hanlon insisted the matter had nothing to do with him.