Labour threatens vote of no confidence in O’Hanlon

The Labour Party has threatened to arrange a vote of no confidence against the Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil.

The threat follows a row in the House this morning between Labour leader Pat Rabbitte and Dr Rory O'Hanlon.

Dr O'Hanlon refused to allow Mr Rabbitte to question the Taoiseach about fuel allowances for elderly people, provoking an angry response from Labour TDs.

The Ceann Comhairle had already suspended three opposition TDs earlier this week for repeatedly interrupting Bertie Ahern with questions about health issues.

Mr Rabbitte said in the Dáil this morning that if Dr O'Hanlon continued to protect the Taoiseach in such a manner, he would be "inviting a motion of no confidence".

"There has never been a situation in my time in this House where a leader of a party is not permitted to raise a matter like this on the Order of Business," he said.