Taoiseach: Opposition leaders 'lacked courage' during fuel protests

Opposition leaders fired back that Micheál Martin had little empathy 

Taoiseach Micheál Martin accused Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald and Social Democrat leader Holly Cairns of lacking 'courage', and Labour leader Ivana Bacik of being 'silent' on fuel protests. Picture: Leah Farrell/© RollingNews.ie

The Taoiseach has accused opposition leaders of lacking "courage" during the fuel price protests while they accused him of lacking empathy in a fiery Dáil Leaders' Questions.

As the fallout from Tuesday's shock resignation of Michael Healy-Rae continued, opposition parties all raised the cost of living with Micheál Martin, with Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald telling the Dáil that a recent Dublin City Council decision to increase rents is evidence the Government is "arrogant" and "out of touch".