Dáil suspended twice as Taoiseach accused of bringing House into disrepute

The Dáil has been suspended twice this lunchtime after the Taoiseach was accused of bringing the House into disrepute.

Enda Kenny was taking questions from Deputy Paul Murphy when he was accused of being dismissive to the Socialist TD.

Deputy Murphy had asked about payment rates at Irish Water, but the Taoiseach said he would not "spoon-feed" him the information, and told him to "toddle along" to an Irish Water briefing instead.

Dáil suspended after Taoiseach tells TD where 2 go. Serious Qs trivialised by his response.

— Gerry Adams (@GerryAdamsSF) May 13, 2015

That drew criticism from Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and Independent TD Roisin Shortall, leading to a row that saw the House suspended for 10 minutes, and then another 10 when the row resumed later.

1.50pm UPDATE: Opposition TDs have lashed out at the Government after it decided the Dáil should take a break of over four hours this afternoon.

The Dáil will be adjourned between 3:20pm and 7:30pm today after it got through its earlier business more quickly than expected.

Opposition TDs say the time should be spent dealing with some of the 190 other items on the Dáil's agenda which are not being debated today.