Seanad debate should not descend into 'personal' remarks - Howlin

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform said the debate on the abolition of the Seanad should not descend into one involving personal animosity or personal commentary.

Brendan Howlin made the comments following a controversial debate in the Seanad yesterday, during which Independent Senator David Norris made remarks about Fine Gael TD Regina Doherty.

He described her comments on the Seanad as "the Regina Monologues" and said she was "talking through her fanny".

Deputy Doherty has said the remarks were upsetting and "sexist" - and a formal complaint will be made to the leader of the Seanad.

Speaking on his way into Government Buildings this morning, Minister Brendan Howlin said his department has been tasked with reforming the public service - and the Government cannot be immune from that.

"There are serious matters under debate," he said.

"I expect that there will be a robust debate about that, but it shouldn't be one that will degenerate into any personal animosity, or personal commentary."

Fine Gael TD Mary Mitchell-O'Connor said she was appalled by Senator Norris's language - and said there is a "boy's culture" around Leinster House which must change.

"Any woman out there… knows that this diminishes women," she said.

"We're trying to educate our girls, and our boys, to have respect. And this absolutely diminishes the whole, I believe, the essentialness of women."