Sinn Féin TD's 'menacing' language towards Jennifer Carroll MacNeill criticised

During a debate on RTÉ's Budget 2024 broadcast, Pádraig Mac Lochlainn said his party colleague Pearse Doherty would 'put manners' on Dún Laoghaire TD, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill 

Donegal TD Pádraig Mac Lochlainn told Ms Carroll MacNeill: 'I’m sure Pearse Doherty will look forward to debating you after this budget and I’m sure he’ll look forward to putting manners on you.'  File picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Fine Gael has hit out at Sinn Féin’s Pádraig Mac Lochlainn for using what it described as “menacing” language towards junior finance minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill.

During a debate on RTÉ television, Donegal TD Mr Mac Lochlainn said his party colleague Pearse Doherty would “put manners” on Ms MacNeill.

Both politicians appeared on RTÉ One on Tuesday for a panel discussion on the budget prior to Finance Minister Michael McGrath and Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe delivering their speeches.

Ms MacNeill was debating the tax changes being introduced by the Coalition and argued that the government was reducing tax for workers and targeting the cuts to people earning less than €50,000.

She told the Sinn Féin TD that she could show him the figures if he wanted and that she could take him through what the benefits would be for people.

Mr Mac Lochlainn replied: 

I’m sure Pearse Doherty will look forward to debating you after this budget and I’m sure he’ll look forward to putting manners on you. 

Reacting, Ms MacNeill said: “Excuse me, what? What does that mean?” 

Mr Mac Lochlainn said: “It’s just the arrogance of the Fine Gael party to say they’ve stood up for the interest of people on lower incomes.” 

A Fine Gael spokesperson said Mr Mac Lochlainn “exposed himself with his language". 

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD responded to Pádraig Mac Lochlainn's comment saying: 'Excuse me, what? What does that mean?'. Later, a Fine Gael spokesperson asked: 'Is this how the Sinn Féin leadership is happy to treat women politicians?' File picture: Colin Keegan/Collins

The party has called on Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald to say whether such behaviour is tolerated.

“Is this how the Sinn Féin leadership is happy to treat women politicians?” the Fine Gael spokesperson said. 

“This was the Sinn Féin chief whip speaking to a female junior finance minister on live budget day TV. It was highly visible and every woman watching would have seen that.

“What does the Sinn Féin leadership think of this? It is now up to Deputy Mary Lou MacDonald to let us know if this behaviour is tolerated in her party.

“As for Deputy Doherty, Minister Carroll MacNeill will debate him any day on the facts.” 

Both Mr Mac Lochainn and Ms MacNeill were part of a panel hosted by RTÉ journalist David McCullough.