The Children's Minister has denied she has engaged in a "political stunt" that resulted in the Supreme Court saying her Department acted in breach of the Constitution in the recent referendum.

Frances Fitzgerald has refused however to answer a number of charges from Fianna Fáil that the blame lay entirely at her door.

Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Children Robert Troy quoted Chief Justice Susan Denham that the minister "was not fair, not equal, not impartial or neutral".

And Deputy Troy added that "this is a damning indictment by the most senior judicial figure in our land on your role in relation to this referendum".

Minister accused of "stunt"

But Minister Fitzgerald refused to address the issues put to her, instead choosing to quote more from Chief Justice Denham.

"In all the circumstances in this case that have appeared before the court I am satisfied that the respondents acted in a bona fide manner" she said.

But Robert Troy then accused her of a "stunt".

"Some of the language used in this so called independent literature was also the same language used in your speech to the launch of the Fine Gael advocating a yes vote. I think myself Minister this was a political stunt on your own part" he said.

"It certainly was not and in fact the highest court in the land disagrees with what you have to say and accepts the bona fides of myself and my department in relation to this," she replied. 

Watch the exchange below: