Burton denies split in Labour Party

Labour's Deputy Leader Joan Burton is today dismissing suggestions that the party is split in two.

Fine Gael Deputy Leo Varadkar yesterday accused "the Eamon and Joan show" of having differing views to some of their Dáil colleagues on issues like social welfare cuts, water charges and third level education fees.

Mr Varadkar said after the next General Election, the "real" Labour Party will have to stand up and he hopes it is the Labour Party of Ruairí Quinn and Pat Rabbitte.

Deputy Burton has hit back at the comments and says Deputy Leo Varadkar does not live in the real world.

"I’ve worked since I was 18, I bring real-life experience to the table," she said.

"If Leo has a problem with people who have rolled up their sleeves and gone out to work since the time they were kids, like me, then listen – that’s his problem."

Fine Gael spokesman later came out in defence of Deputy Varadkar, saying that having worked as a doctor, at the coalface, he has a perspective on the health service that is second to none.

However they say they are looking forward to continuing an open and transparent economic debate.