Government accused of 'rigging' a forum on neutrality

People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy criticised the line-up of speakers at a forum on international security in Cork next week, claiming multiple speakers 'are on the record as being in favour of joining Nato'

People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy said the speakers list 'gives the game away to an extreme degree' as to what the Government wants to achieve from the forum in Cork. Picture: Gareth Chaney/ Collins 

A war of words has erupted after Opposition TDs accused the Government of "rigging" a forum on neutrality.

There were heated exchanges in the Dáil, with Tánaiste Micheál Martin suggesting members of the Opposition would "put the jackboot on people who might have views different to them" if they were ever to enter Government.