'All you could ever do was every scandal that was there you asked for another report'

The Dáil has passed a motion of confidence in the government, after three hours of debating the Fennelly report.

TDs voted 94 to 52 to express confidence in Enda Kenny, the government, and the attorney general Máire Whelan.

Opposition parties criticised Ms Whelan for her evidence to the Fennelly Commission which appeared to be contradictory.

But Fine Gael junior minister Michael Ring had little tolerance for the complaints coming from Fianna Fáil: "You, you, you, you!

"The cheek of you to even open your mouth.

"You were part of a government and all you could ever do was every scandal that was there you asked for another report.

"You stood over Bertie Ahern, you stood over Padraig Flynn, you stood over every scandal that could be here in this house and you pretended you knew nothing was going on."