Wallace under pressure to withdraw 'Miss Piggy' comment

Pressure is mounting on Independent TD Mick Wallace to apologise to a Fine Gael Deputy after he was heard calling her "Miss Piggy".

The Dáil microphones picked up the discussion by Mr Wallace and fellow Independents Luke 'Ming' Flanagan and Shane Ross yesterday evening.

Mr Wallace can be heard saying that "Miss Piggy" had "toned down a it".

The Roscommon TD goes on to say she should be banned from wearing pink.

As the conversation goes on, Luke 'Ming' Flanagan and Shane Ross join in and it becomes clear they are talking about the Dún Laoghaire TD Mary Mitchell O’Connor.

The conversation happened during a Dáil vote when the microphones would normally be switched off.

At least one remained live however and the blogger Suzy Byrne first noticed the discussion.

Colleagues will this morning demand an apology from the trio. Last night, Senator Catherine Noone expressed her disappointment at the comments, adding she would be looking for an apology.